Tango for Two aka Sus Ojos se Cerraron & El Mundo Sigue Andando. I had been on a Dario Grandinetti kick for a while & had been ordering & watching all his movies. He is a great actor from Spain & has had several killer roles. I originally became interested in him when I saw the Argentinean movie Dark Side of the Heart & then I saw him in Almovodar's Talk to Me. (both very fine films) In this film he plays the great Argentinean Tango singer Carlos Gardel. I did not know much about Gardel till I saw this film & then read the Wikipedia entry about him. This film is a heart-rending tale of a woman who idolizes Carlos Gardel & it's easy to see how she gets lost in fantasy. Fate steps in, & once again he's called upon to pose as Gardel. The Singing the Tangos performances & & music & blending between fantasy & reality (about Gardel) make this a very interesting film. The 1930s Argentina is recreated very faithfully with some great sets & cinematography. It is interesting to see Grandinetti before he lost all his hair & I never dream to see him in a musical singing role. He does quite well. The music & songs are fabulous if you are a fan of tango. Film ends with the question of whether Gardel was really killed in an accident. The film is romantic comedy musical Many (me included) have trouble getting the subtitles to work correctly. . 4 stars very interesting Argentinean film.
7 Reviews
Mischievous reflection on celebrity
alan_adamson31 May 2003
It helps to like the tango music of Carlos Gardel - there is a lot of it. I found I enjoyed the form and the performances, and the songs did provide a running commentary at times on the action in the film. The integration of the music and the story is a key part of the film. For me, I am grateful to the film among other things for introducing me to Gardel.
The plot is reminiscent of several films about celebrity and the line between fiction and reality, but keeps its feet on the ground, and ends with a deft and humorous touch, which is also rather moving. Is this magic realism? Whatever it is, it works.
There are some lovely set pieces that I found lovely - Gardel singing to his current girlfriend, the finish, Renzo's performance in Bogota. I recommend it highly.
The plot is reminiscent of several films about celebrity and the line between fiction and reality, but keeps its feet on the ground, and ends with a deft and humorous touch, which is also rather moving. Is this magic realism? Whatever it is, it works.
There are some lovely set pieces that I found lovely - Gardel singing to his current girlfriend, the finish, Renzo's performance in Bogota. I recommend it highly.
A delightful experience of tango and Argentine music and a bit of history.
PPaulo24 March 2005
For those who are familiar with Carlos Gardel and his music, this movie is an experience not to be missed. And for those who know nothing about Argentine tango or Carlos Gardel, invest 10 or 15 minutes to read up on Gardel's remarkable life and career before you watch the movie. That will enhance your enjoyment of the movie tremendously. I've watched this movie again and again, with tears at times. This is a skillful mix of exquisite acting, delightful music, a bit of Argentine history, and a heart-rendering plot. The movie masterfully portrays the tumultuous and passionate era in Argentina of Gardel's time. I highly recommend it.
A magnificent parade of tangos
rachid-230 December 2001
The sewing between fiction and reality in the story of Juanita Romero relieved a magnificent parade of tangos and a true romantic comedy. The irony of the film, especially of the final sequence with Gardel imitating Gardel, has a strong Borges flavor with the destiny of one being carried through in the other.
Distorted history
hof-41 April 2012
This is a dishonest movie. Its basic premise is the existence of a man that not only sings exactly like the immensely popular tango singer of the thirties Carlos Gardel, but looks exactly like him, to the point of being able to fool an entire theater packed with Gardel's admirers (to understand the absurdity, think of somebody that sings and looks like Plácido Domingo and impersonates him in an opera without anybody noticing).
The plot of the movie implies that Gardel was irresponsible and disdainful of his fans (he was in fact a consummate professional and a considerate man) and that Alfredo Le Pera (the poet that wrote many of Gardel's tango lyrics) was capable of an vile act of deceit again Gardel's interests. Not so: Le Pera was as honest as they come, and a true friend of Gardel. Even Gardel's mother is described as conniving and cold; she was nothing of the sort.
Yes, the movie is glossy and sleek and the actors are fine, but one should not tamper gratuitously with history.
The plot of the movie implies that Gardel was irresponsible and disdainful of his fans (he was in fact a consummate professional and a considerate man) and that Alfredo Le Pera (the poet that wrote many of Gardel's tango lyrics) was capable of an vile act of deceit again Gardel's interests. Not so: Le Pera was as honest as they come, and a true friend of Gardel. Even Gardel's mother is described as conniving and cold; she was nothing of the sort.
Yes, the movie is glossy and sleek and the actors are fine, but one should not tamper gratuitously with history.
One for the 'Lovers of the Music of Tango'
MEG-4021 April 2000
Heart-rending tale of a woman who idolises Carlos Gardel and it's easy to see how she gets lost in fantasy. The acting is very good. The film story line makes it seem that there is a very fine line between reality and fantasy that can be crossed if one does not take care. The music and songs are fabulous if you are a fan of tango. A film that I wholeheartedly recommend- I've seen it three or four times - definately 9/10 for it's genre.
A film that makes you think: "...what if..."
Shuarcita9 July 1999
This movie, based on the life of the greatest tango character of the Argentina, Carlos Gardel, traces the doubt of whether or not Gardel is dead. A movie that makes you think that maybe it could be true, or it could all be a story.
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