2 reviews
There is no story behind the almost two hours of footage, Everything is overloaded with imposed conflicts between most of the characters (outlined with a broad brush, without nuances), between the town and the city, modernity and tradition, between the law and custom etc. With a hero without a cause (his decisions are not understood) and without time, since the film seems to take place at least half a century ago, without any contact with technology (you don't even see mobile phones), or, worse still, as if We were in the Wild West.
And almost nothing runs naturally, especially the presumably dramatic moments, which leave you rather cold, as if they were oblivious to the characters themselves, light years away from the viewer, with a particularly unfortunate sequence, a monologue by Paz Vega that is not even remotely provokes the intended effects, rather indifference.
In short, a failed film, no matter how much it arouses some interest at first, very far from all the films that he consciously or unconsciously drinks from, from "Only in the Face of Danger" (there is an express reference to Gary Cooper), to " Dogs of straw", going through the excellent thriller also starring Raúl Arévalo, "The minimal island", or the also remarkable "Tarde para la Ira", in this case directed by the actor himself.
And almost nothing runs naturally, especially the presumably dramatic moments, which leave you rather cold, as if they were oblivious to the characters themselves, light years away from the viewer, with a particularly unfortunate sequence, a monologue by Paz Vega that is not even remotely provokes the intended effects, rather indifference.
In short, a failed film, no matter how much it arouses some interest at first, very far from all the films that he consciously or unconsciously drinks from, from "Only in the Face of Danger" (there is an express reference to Gary Cooper), to " Dogs of straw", going through the excellent thriller also starring Raúl Arévalo, "The minimal island", or the also remarkable "Tarde para la Ira", in this case directed by the actor himself.
Hopes of a tense crime piece drawing on a regional setting, on the model of MARSHLAND, are set up in the early stages of director Iñaki Sánchez' 2nd feature but elements like the Eco. Plot and remote, canal-rutted setting give way to familiar melodrama - the pill popping wife, dead child and swarthy, menacing locals who stand about while we wait for them to mutter "We don't like strangers here!"
Fresh from saving a wetland in Brazil, bearded agronomist Raúl Arévalo arrives at La Laguna Blanco where the water levels are dropping each year. Local matriarch Susi Sanchez tells him these are good people. (always a bad sign) We know the appealing dog, that we don't see enough of, is a goner and Arévalo's distrust of all those shot guns will prove justified.
Park Ranger Joaquín Climent, who is disturbingly tolerant of poachers, carries off the acting honors though spooky home help Susana Merino registers firmly enough to liven up the ending. The accomplished Roberto Alamo is wasted and Paz Vega, making the transition from glamorous to serious, just comes over as grating.
Drone shots of the terrain, driving the roads through its marshes and herons circling at dusk help but they'd be more effective if they were less murky.
Fresh from saving a wetland in Brazil, bearded agronomist Raúl Arévalo arrives at La Laguna Blanco where the water levels are dropping each year. Local matriarch Susi Sanchez tells him these are good people. (always a bad sign) We know the appealing dog, that we don't see enough of, is a goner and Arévalo's distrust of all those shot guns will prove justified.
Park Ranger Joaquín Climent, who is disturbingly tolerant of poachers, carries off the acting honors though spooky home help Susana Merino registers firmly enough to liven up the ending. The accomplished Roberto Alamo is wasted and Paz Vega, making the transition from glamorous to serious, just comes over as grating.
Drone shots of the terrain, driving the roads through its marshes and herons circling at dusk help but they'd be more effective if they were less murky.
- Mozjoukine
- May 13, 2022
- Permalink