Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by jamesgarvin (A) on October 09, 2006 at 12:00:29

From 1976 through 1983, Argentina was ruled by a military dictatorship. During those years, 30,000 people allegedly disappeared. Odd, my high school Spanish teacher from Argentina never relayed that history to us. Though in her defense, my Spanish lessons began shortly after 1983.

Antonio Banderas stars as a theater operator. His wife, played by Emma Thompson, is a journalist, and we know how military dictatorships generally do not like journalists. Well, she "disappears". A visit by Banderas to the local official produces no information, beyond, she is not on the list, which is something of an indictment, because there is a list to begin with.

He puts on a play, visited by local officials, including a character looking conspicuously like the local constable, detailing the kidnapping. He is hoping that he will be apprehended. The police, one step ahead, arrest his business manager, played by Ruben Blades, and Banderas' daughter, played by Leticia Dolera, who, at 24, is all grown up (in a good way).

Along the way we learn that Banderas has second sight, and, with the touch of a loved one, has a vision as to what happened to the "disappeared." Except, this trick does not work for him - he cannot see what happened to his wife.

The main purpose of the film is to bring to light, and discuss, the military dictatorship of Argentina in the late 70's and early 80's. To that extent, the film is a success. Banderas is very good in the role. I think he is a better actor that he is given credit for. He certainly has his light side, but can be serious when given the proper role. He is convincing as a desperate husband who has lost his wife and daughter. Emma Thompson, largely without makeup and her natural hair color, is almost unreconizable. To those of us accustomed to seeing her in elegant British films, her performance here is an eye opener although she does not completely loose the proper British manner.

The film also makes a subtle corrolation between the Argentinian government and the Nazis. Banderas takes a trip into the country, and comes upon a farm owned and operated by the Steinbergs, played by John Wood and Claire Bloom. They were German Jews who fled Germany, and recounted their stories of missing relatives. They left Banderas with some advice. The point in this scene, and, more directly, in conjunction with other fantasy scenes showing Argentinian military officials at a dinner table with Nazis, was to depict some of the similarities.

I recommend the film. The plot is a clothes line for the message and history, and while the plot itself is not particularly original, it is well written, well edited, as I cannot recall any scenes that I felt could be eliminated, well acted, and covers information not many of us are aware of.