First of all, let's address the fact that this movie is not as bad as I'd heard it was. That being said, it wasn't amazing either. I think they had their heart in the right place in that they tried to convey how horrible and inhumane the climate was in Argentina during the military dictatorship, and I especially liked that they tell the viewer all the places where this is happening right now or has happened. The one major complaint I have with this movie is the whole magical realism/clairvoyance deal in the plot. It detracts from the message of the film. I love Emma Thompson and as usual she's great in this film. She shows grace and humanity in situations that are not easy to handle. Antonio Banderas is great too, but unfortunately his character gets saddled with the aforementioned psychic type deal. I think if that had been left out Banderas would have had more to work with. The rest of the characters come across as more symbolic than anything. I wish we could have seen them as individuals instead of as standing in for the many "disappeared". It is said that sometimes the victims of crimes become faceless, but here they become only a face. I think the victims are owed a little more than that. Overall, it wasn't bad, but two far better films would be Missing with Jack Lemmon and Sissy Spacek, great film. and The Official Story. Those two manage to not only convey the horror, but the human aspect as well, or rather the dehumanizing aspect. See this movie if you like,you could do worse, but if you want the real deal, go for Missing or The Official Story.
Review of Imagining Argentina
