Fito Paez, an Argentine composer, decided to try his hand at directing in this film, that alas, won't add anything to his resume, or to the rest of the fine actors and technicians involved in the project. The problem lies in the clunky screen play written by Mr. Paez and his collaborator, Alan Pauls. The story is a retooling of the more successful Argentine film "The Official Story", directed by Luis Puenzo.
The story will be a puzzle for people that have no idea about that dark period in the story of Argentina where the military higher ups gathered all those that were opposed to the regime, and either killed them, or like in the case of Carmen Urenga, made go into exile.
Even the return of Carmen is painful. She has been transformed by the trauma she experienced during the painful years she spent in prison. Carmen is a wounded soul who can't even respond sexually to anyone. Instead, she becomes a voyeur. When the young Gustavo appears in her life, things begin to change for Carmen, who slowly becomes intrigued by the attention the young man pays to her. It is at this time that the horrible secret Carmen has been carrying for more than twenty years come back to haunt her.
The acting is passable. Ms. Roth deserved better. Gael Garcia Bernal is out of his element, in our humble opinion. Chinchuna Villafane, who appeared in "The Official Story" is seen as Carmen's mother. Luis Zembrowsky and Dolores Fonzi have some good moments. Hector Alterio, one of the best Argentine actors has nothing to do.
"Private Lives" is a dark film that will be better understood if the viewer has a little knowledge about Argentina's "dirty war".
The story will be a puzzle for people that have no idea about that dark period in the story of Argentina where the military higher ups gathered all those that were opposed to the regime, and either killed them, or like in the case of Carmen Urenga, made go into exile.
Even the return of Carmen is painful. She has been transformed by the trauma she experienced during the painful years she spent in prison. Carmen is a wounded soul who can't even respond sexually to anyone. Instead, she becomes a voyeur. When the young Gustavo appears in her life, things begin to change for Carmen, who slowly becomes intrigued by the attention the young man pays to her. It is at this time that the horrible secret Carmen has been carrying for more than twenty years come back to haunt her.
The acting is passable. Ms. Roth deserved better. Gael Garcia Bernal is out of his element, in our humble opinion. Chinchuna Villafane, who appeared in "The Official Story" is seen as Carmen's mother. Luis Zembrowsky and Dolores Fonzi have some good moments. Hector Alterio, one of the best Argentine actors has nothing to do.
"Private Lives" is a dark film that will be better understood if the viewer has a little knowledge about Argentina's "dirty war".