Two Line Reviews - #400

Movie: El mismo amor, la misma lluvia (or) Same Love, Same Rain (Spanish, 1999)

Plot:  A magazine journalist who has a keen taste on art finds a perfect combination of beauty and fellow patron of good art. After a small struggle, he wins her over, only to lose her again due to his changing interests. Much worse, his ego delays him from asking the woman to get back into his life and makes it into a story for his own journal which starts and ends with the same love, same rain.

What Works?

• The maker, Juan Jose Campanella proves the genius that he is with this poetic sensitive piece of work! The screenplay which takes the film across years beautifully makes a mark.
• The lead pair, as in their more famous later film , do their job to perfection in this one as well;
• Soledad Villamil is South American Meryl Streep and her emotions & expressions just ooze out when needed.Ricardo Darin underplays well to give the queen some good fight.
• The side story of the chief's romance, that of the senior editor who leaves the journal with a tumult are expressive of the times the film represents!

As lovable as the rain!

Two Line Reviews - #399

Movie: Un Oso Rojo (or) A Red Bear (Spanish, 2002)

Plot: A convict returns from prison to see his wife and child being sheltered with his wife's new husband. His obsession makes him want to stay as close as he can to them and get them out of the financial mess  they have fallen into. He needs the big buck to do that for which he makes a risky job, one last time.

What Works?

• The film's dilly-dallying between the emotional angle of the convict to the angle that represents his self works in its favour. An interesting film has been made to look audaciously casual by Adrian Caetano, its maker.
• Julio Chavez's rugged look, expressions and the way he adores his child make him connect well with the viewer. Soledad Villamil's is a restricted role which she walks off casually.
• The action blocks are pulsating and the native latino background music is highly impressive!

Audacious, powerful tale of sentiment and action!