Not having a clue as to what to expect, but based on the fact that Federico Luppi was involved in this project, we decided to take a chance. Wrong decision! We had failed to note this was a film directed by Gerardo Herrero, who has had better luck as a producer of some well received films, but who unfortunately, as a director, he does not bring an iota of credibility to this story set in Iquitos, Peru. This was a production backed by four countries, so what came out appears to be a case of too many cooks spoiling the broth.
A consul of a South American country in Iquitos, is seen awaiting the arrival of his daughter Ana, whom he has not seen in years. The man, divorced from Ana's mother, is now living in some kind of tropical splendor in a mansion. He is thinking in importing air conditioned units as a business venture. He is now living with Julia, a much younger woman. The consul took Julia from what we took to be a brothel, although it is not clear the club where she sang was nothing but that.
Ana, resents the new woman in her father's life. The capture of a young pilot, Enrico, whose plane was taken as it landed in a river, brings the consul and Ana to check the situation. The local police chief, Goncalves, knows the man in his custody was up to no good. The consul takes him under his custody back to Iquitos. While Ana likes the rugged Enrico, but no one realizes the young man has also had his way with Julia, with whom he plans to escape by getting Ana's help.
The problem with the film is the screenplay written by Jorge Goldenberg and based on a novel by Carlos Franz. Perhaps in the written page, the book made more sense, but as it develops in the screen, it is just plain silly. The dialogue is trite, full of tired expressions and situations, made even worse by Mr. Herrero's bland approach to the material. The only thing of interest is Alfredo Mayo's cinematography of the river and the surrounding jungle.
It is possible any actor can have a bad day, but Federico Luppi appears bored by the whole enterprise. Elena Ballesteros a Spaniard seems out of place. Gianfranco Brero, the Peruvian actor is the best thing in the film.
See it at your own peril.
A consul of a South American country in Iquitos, is seen awaiting the arrival of his daughter Ana, whom he has not seen in years. The man, divorced from Ana's mother, is now living in some kind of tropical splendor in a mansion. He is thinking in importing air conditioned units as a business venture. He is now living with Julia, a much younger woman. The consul took Julia from what we took to be a brothel, although it is not clear the club where she sang was nothing but that.
Ana, resents the new woman in her father's life. The capture of a young pilot, Enrico, whose plane was taken as it landed in a river, brings the consul and Ana to check the situation. The local police chief, Goncalves, knows the man in his custody was up to no good. The consul takes him under his custody back to Iquitos. While Ana likes the rugged Enrico, but no one realizes the young man has also had his way with Julia, with whom he plans to escape by getting Ana's help.
The problem with the film is the screenplay written by Jorge Goldenberg and based on a novel by Carlos Franz. Perhaps in the written page, the book made more sense, but as it develops in the screen, it is just plain silly. The dialogue is trite, full of tired expressions and situations, made even worse by Mr. Herrero's bland approach to the material. The only thing of interest is Alfredo Mayo's cinematography of the river and the surrounding jungle.
It is possible any actor can have a bad day, but Federico Luppi appears bored by the whole enterprise. Elena Ballesteros a Spaniard seems out of place. Gianfranco Brero, the Peruvian actor is the best thing in the film.
See it at your own peril.
