This film is well structured and very well written. Though the narrative is not linear, the story is easy to follow as flashbacks occur, revealing pieces of the truth right up to the final scenes, though the ultimate truth is (arguably) never obviously revealed.
Making the juxtaposed scenes easy to follow is owed mainly to the excellent performances given by the main characters, so distinctive that no confusion of characters is possible. The sombre, decadent ambiance of mid-80s Rosario is superbly captured, as yet another main character. But no character is totally explored, giving the film a suspenseful and mysterious air.
This approach is so refreshing, that the movie avoids the stigma or stereotyping of yet another Argentine dirty war drama. That is, the "lost child," disappeared parent(s), courageous grandmother recovered child, then traumatized child introduced to the "real family."
In fact, the movie is so subtle that it is not clear whether the child mother's fate was politically or criminally motivated despite the scene showing the infamous Naval Academy where hundreds (or thousands) were held, tortured and even killed by the military dictatorship. Nor is it revealed whether the father (a former cop; this fact rapidly stated in an easily overlooked one time line) had anything to do with his wife's capture.
In fact, whether the man's 2 years in jail were directly related to his wife's appearance and ultimately death, is never confirmed, in my view.
The ensemble cast is uniformly outstanding; not surprisingly since at least two of Argentina's greatest actors are in the cast.... A thought provoking film, which deserves a lot more exposure and recognition than it got.
Making the juxtaposed scenes easy to follow is owed mainly to the excellent performances given by the main characters, so distinctive that no confusion of characters is possible. The sombre, decadent ambiance of mid-80s Rosario is superbly captured, as yet another main character. But no character is totally explored, giving the film a suspenseful and mysterious air.
This approach is so refreshing, that the movie avoids the stigma or stereotyping of yet another Argentine dirty war drama. That is, the "lost child," disappeared parent(s), courageous grandmother recovered child, then traumatized child introduced to the "real family."
In fact, the movie is so subtle that it is not clear whether the child mother's fate was politically or criminally motivated despite the scene showing the infamous Naval Academy where hundreds (or thousands) were held, tortured and even killed by the military dictatorship. Nor is it revealed whether the father (a former cop; this fact rapidly stated in an easily overlooked one time line) had anything to do with his wife's capture.
In fact, whether the man's 2 years in jail were directly related to his wife's appearance and ultimately death, is never confirmed, in my view.
The ensemble cast is uniformly outstanding; not surprisingly since at least two of Argentina's greatest actors are in the cast.... A thought provoking film, which deserves a lot more exposure and recognition than it got.
