Sábado (2003) User Reviews

A very good idea

[Ostomedo2 · 7/10 · 7 April 2005]

This film was a bit unnoticed when was released in theaters in Chile, but it's a good funny movie. The kind of ideas you say "why didn't I think about it first?". Despite the all-time hand-held camera, the film doesn't have a chaotic pace, and the images haven't the banality of typical domestic videos. The simple and good idea is greatly supported by good performances of the main characters. And, this is the best aspect of this movie, the speeches are well done. Usually Chilean cinema fails in dialogs due to over-literary lines or, in the other hand, bad use of the language. But in "Sábado", the speeches are clever, funny and never loose the natural mood.

Funny and interesting...definitely unusual.

[Lars-24 · 8/10 · 5 June 2004]

Apparently this one is really a matter of love it or hate it, because I know some other people in my theater weren't able to make it through. However, I found it really funny and well-made. The entire film, which reputedly cost under $100 to make, is in one long shot. It captures a cameraman, sought out by a neighbor to capture the face of a woman about to be married when she finds out that her fiancé has been sleeping with someone else. Then the man is brought with the fiancee to find the fiancé, some friends for consolation, and an old lover. There are some very funny moments, made funnier because of the forced voyeurism of the filmer. It's surprisingly well-made, evenly paced, and well-put-together, for what obviously is a film based on a simple idea and executed quickly. I recommend it.

Brilliant

[martijnbressers · 9/10 · 16 July 2004]

Amazing film! I stayed focused throughout all 65 minutes of the film without leaving the TV for a second. I wonder how is it possible to make a movie without a single cut, and, apparently this being possible, why it has never been done before (as far as I know). Acting of the highest level is one thing that is required to achieve this, which is probably not to often available. Hard to imagine that the entire 65 minutes were set out and thought over all before they started schooting, without -apparently- not a single (visible) instruction from the director during the film (what was his task?). Even the silent moments (without speech) are worth watching because it enables you to try and feel the bride's emotions. Brilliant piece of art and probably the cheapest film ever.

Very funny and unusual comedy

[msprietsma · 9/10 · 16 December 2010]

The film is authentically funny and full of unexpected turns in the storyline. Finally some refreshing quality after unending dull dull dull American wedding comedies. Although one does not usually face this many emotions in real life, the film manages to be convincing. The fact that the film was filmed in two takes only with a hand camera reminds me of the Dogma films and is certainly of similar excellent quality for non commercial film adepts. If to the contrary you are a fan of traditional wedding comedies this may unfortunately not be your cup of tea. Note that Matias Bize has since made another excellent film: 'la Vida de los peces'.