In Her Place

This is a different type of movie which all may not like since the plot is far too simple for comfort and the narrative moves languidly with nothing exciting happening. However the cinematography is superb and so is the acting of leading lady Elisa Zulueta as Mercedes. The plot. The setting is Chile in 1955. A well to do lady writer has a disagreement with her lover in the dining room of a prominent hotel. Then in a fit of rage and in front of around dozen other guests and a few hotel staff members she shoots him dead at point blank range. So starts an investigation through questioning of witnesses. The lady secretary to the judge is a calm and quiet person who is busy typing out the questions asked of the witnesses and their answers . She lives with her husband and two sons in a small and modest flat which is cramped and claustrophobic. When she gets a chance to visit to visit the well furnished and stylish home of the accused she gets overwhelmed with the facilities available. For a few days she lives in a peaceful dream world away from her flat.

Director Maite Alberdi's aim is to show how Mercedes gets an opportunity to live a rich lady's life. Her happiness is shown beautifully as she bathes in the bathtub, puts on the costly dresses, wears the makeup, has tea in fine crockery and soaks in the ambience. The use of close ups and super close ups is very effectively done. Despite focusing on mundane activities the visually attractive scenes are a delight to watch. The movie belongs to Elisa Zulueta who emotes well and brings out her feelings so well specially in the closeups. (How the flat of the accused is kept open for use and not locked up as per normal norms needs explanation).