I see this film on DVD in 2005. Available in the US finally. I do not that agree with the previous reviewer. Although the film is kind of forced and unconvincing, especially towards the ending, the film is ambitious and thought-provoking. It seems to attempt to provoke sentimentalism, which I do not care for. It seems to provide some sexual sensation, which I find rather uncomfortable (maybe this uneasiness is meant) What I appreciate is that the film intricately incorporates critical and politicized views. This film reminds me of Polandsky's MAID AND DEATH, which is also situated in Latin America. Both female and male leads are great. If the plot of the film is forced, their acting is not. It the plot has to try hard to be touching, their acting can touch people more elegantly. It is a pity that their acting might be thought "funny" to some viewers though....
15 Reviews
Nothing Special
flatliner2210 August 2005
I went to rent a movie, and saw this one; after reading the back, it seemed interesting, but then I watched it, and ended disappointing me. The movie has no theme, nothing that could happen in real life, and it is very lame. Most of the time you don't know what is happening or why some people are doing what they are doing. Positive: It is entertaining, because you want to know what is going to happen next or how is going to end.
The film is about a 42 year old woman, who likes hearing other people in bed, and in one of those opportunities she meets a young guy. All of this, because she didn't have a good past.
The film is about a 42 year old woman, who likes hearing other people in bed, and in one of those opportunities she meets a young guy. All of this, because she didn't have a good past.
The "un-official" story
jotix1008 April 2006
Warning: Spoilers
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".
Pretentious, Unconvincing, and Boring
IAMOdoodles9 January 2006
'Vidas privadas', by first-time director Fito Paez, is the most pretentious and boring movie I have ever seen. The movie suffers from an unconvincing plot and pseudo-intellectual banter that result in a very forced and ridiculous ending. The sex and the final revelation are only there for shock value, and nothing else.
The acting is really good, but I don't think it has anything to do with Paez's direction; he just hired some really good actors. Gael García Bernal's fake Argentinean accent is awful, but he still gives a good performance. But, why didn't they just cast an actor from Argentina for that role? Some Argentinean actors are really good. I guess Fito Paez just wanted to capitalize on the Mexican actor's increasing popularity. Cecilia Roth is always great, and the movie is not a complete fiasco only because of her performance.
Also, Fito Paez is one of Agentina's best singer/songwriters, and I was hoping that, at least, the movie score would be good. But it's not. It's awful. The movie reduces the music to lame background noise that doesn't take you anywhere. Also, (trying not to give anything away) where the hell did that gun at the end came from? Did Paez just forget to explain why would one of the characters be carrying a gun? It makes no sense. Paez should not quit his day job and stick to songwriting.
The acting is really good, but I don't think it has anything to do with Paez's direction; he just hired some really good actors. Gael García Bernal's fake Argentinean accent is awful, but he still gives a good performance. But, why didn't they just cast an actor from Argentina for that role? Some Argentinean actors are really good. I guess Fito Paez just wanted to capitalize on the Mexican actor's increasing popularity. Cecilia Roth is always great, and the movie is not a complete fiasco only because of her performance.
Also, Fito Paez is one of Agentina's best singer/songwriters, and I was hoping that, at least, the movie score would be good. But it's not. It's awful. The movie reduces the music to lame background noise that doesn't take you anywhere. Also, (trying not to give anything away) where the hell did that gun at the end came from? Did Paez just forget to explain why would one of the characters be carrying a gun? It makes no sense. Paez should not quit his day job and stick to songwriting.
Extremely Disappointing
corston-215 February 2006
I bought the film and couldn't wait to rip open the package and watch it. I love Bernal's acting (he comes by it naturally from his family). But the plot and dialog reminded me of some of the French films of the same genre from the '60s. I kept expecting Deneuve or Tritignant to come through the door. I couldn't watch it through to the end. I admit that I was tired and had just watched, Dot the I (much superior), so maybe I'll give another go, even if only to watch Bernal who never disappoints. This was a forced film in my opinion with a dreadful script, but maybe I should give a second chance. That sounds perhaps a bit pretentious:-) Hugh Corston Quebec City
Young man loves older woman
Lola3320 January 2007
Okay, this might not be the best of all Latin American movies, and it certainly doesn't have the most plausible of all plots (much has been said about it already). But, let's be honest about this: I appreciate every opportunity to see the acting of Cecilia Roth and Gael Garcia Bernal, and here they are both brilliant. Gael, especially, as the boy-man who falls in love with the mysterious woman behind the wall, delivers a heartbreakingly vulnerable performance. To see him break down in the end when Carmen's secret is revealed, made me suffer with him. Cecilia, too, is pure gold, and her scenes together with Gael crackle with erotic tension. Carmen, who is unable to lead normal sexual relationships after the trauma of imprisonment and torture under the Argentinian dictatorship, needs other people to audibly perform sexual acts to get some satisfaction herself. She likes to listen to hired couples from an adjacent room but usually remains invisible herself. The first thing that strikes her about young Gustavo is his voice on an answer machine. Since the owner of said answer machine is a friend who runs a model agency and provides her with "performers", she chooses Gustavo to be her next visitor. First she listens to him having sex with a girl, then she wants him to come alone and read dirty novels to her. Their mutual interest grows and, eventually, the middleaged woman and the 22 year old man fall in love with each other. However, their happiness is doomed. Something they don't know about each other (or does Carmen know?) is bound to surface, and a tragedy of Greek dimensions unfolds when it does. I'm quite certain that, in the future, only hard core Gael and Cecilia fans will bother to check out this dimly lit curiosity. Count myself one of them. The DVD (Spanish with English subtitles) is not one to stumble across in your usual video store. All the more, I'm glad to own it now, and I'll certainly watch it again. To see (and hear!) Gael Garcia Bernal lie on a bed, reading erotic fiction to his invisible client, was worth the money alone
Extremely Painful...and I have seen some bad movies...
mkronen6 August 2004
I agree with the previous review that this is very painful to watch. As a loyal Almodovar fan, I went to see this film because Cecilia Roth was in it as well as Gael Garcia Bernal who I'd seen in a couple of other films.
It was during the Miami Film Festival and Fito Paez happened to be in the audience that night. There was a huge Argentinian fan base watching that night.
What a horrible movie. My husband and I wanted to get up and leave but when we started looking around, the loyal fans gave us dirty looks and I did not want to be rude and interrupt anyone's viewing (the rows were very long and we were sitting right in the middle of our row).
This guy's idea of suspense music is a single high pitched piano note every 5 minutes (extremely annoying and it just didn't work). The story makes no sense and his attempt at creating a twist left you going "huh?".
Do not waste your time. If you want to see Cecilia Roth, get an Almodovar film and if you want to see Gael, get any other film he's been in.
PS: As soon as the movie ended, we left the theatre very very quickly.
It was during the Miami Film Festival and Fito Paez happened to be in the audience that night. There was a huge Argentinian fan base watching that night.
What a horrible movie. My husband and I wanted to get up and leave but when we started looking around, the loyal fans gave us dirty looks and I did not want to be rude and interrupt anyone's viewing (the rows were very long and we were sitting right in the middle of our row).
This guy's idea of suspense music is a single high pitched piano note every 5 minutes (extremely annoying and it just didn't work). The story makes no sense and his attempt at creating a twist left you going "huh?".
Do not waste your time. If you want to see Cecilia Roth, get an Almodovar film and if you want to see Gael, get any other film he's been in.
PS: As soon as the movie ended, we left the theatre very very quickly.
Awful movie
darkknight53 October 2005
One of the worst movies I've ever seen.Fito Paez is a great musician, creator of many great songs. But his first movie, "Vidas Privadas" is a study is bad directing, bad editing, awful score, bad acting, horrible lines (out of a soap opera), novice photography and especially bad narrative.
One of those movies, that you know what is going to happen even before you enter the cinema. Cecilia Roth (his then wife) and Mexican actor Gael García Bernal are good actors, but they are unable to generate any emotions, because the elliptical unsastianl plot is a mix of genres and clichés.
If you are interested in movies with the same theme, I recommend "Kamchatcka" or "The official Story" two great movies.
One of those movies, that you know what is going to happen even before you enter the cinema. Cecilia Roth (his then wife) and Mexican actor Gael García Bernal are good actors, but they are unable to generate any emotions, because the elliptical unsastianl plot is a mix of genres and clichés.
If you are interested in movies with the same theme, I recommend "Kamchatcka" or "The official Story" two great movies.
Superb
lamirandamx10 April 2002
One word, WOW! This movie has been bumped up to my #1 favorite movie. I watch many international and spanish films. I enjoy them more than American films because they are so unpredictable and unexplainable like the movie "Pierdas Verdes." After all Spanish movies I am left breathless and wondersome. Nothing has ever been this extraordinary. This movie is very powerful and goes where no other movies dares to go. I was in awwh throughout this whole film. Scene after scene you are simply amazed. Vidas Privadas has an excellent storyline, the actors, like Cecilia Roth (All About My Mother), and Gael Garcia Bernal (Amores Perros), are brillant. You can't go wrong with this movie by Fito Paez a legendary Argentine musician.
Look but don't touch....
telonius7 July 2005
OOOOOk.
Here we go.
What do I like about this movie? Well, the photography was good. It seems It could have been in black and white to give more power to the images with the type of music Fito Paez selected to make. It was like try too hard and too much of it. That piano Psycho style. I don't know. Too strange. Unless you want to go on that direction. Then go on that direction with the movie too. May be it would have been a darker picture (with high contrast too) for a darker subject matter.
I like Cecilia and Gael. These characters are difficult to identify with unless you are going thru the same thing. I spoke with an friend from Argentina and said that Gael accent was petty good. Remember, Argentinians are picky, so I believed him.
The camera could have moved more and Fito could have play more with the close ups much better (Philadelhia movie style).You know, Jonathan Demme.
It's no doubt that music could have better to get you in tone with the movie.
This story is a little hard to believe. If this has happen before to someone, that person should tell this story.
Fito, it seems you have money. Please use it wisely in movies. There are more fascinating stories where I am sure you can make more money.
Latinamerican films need to make a change but in a uplifting way. And I don't mean happy endings. But stories that most people can identify with and enjoy more at the same time.
Also if I ever do any movie, this a good one to watch what not to do.
Over and Out. Until next time.
Thanks.
Here we go.
What do I like about this movie? Well, the photography was good. It seems It could have been in black and white to give more power to the images with the type of music Fito Paez selected to make. It was like try too hard and too much of it. That piano Psycho style. I don't know. Too strange. Unless you want to go on that direction. Then go on that direction with the movie too. May be it would have been a darker picture (with high contrast too) for a darker subject matter.
I like Cecilia and Gael. These characters are difficult to identify with unless you are going thru the same thing. I spoke with an friend from Argentina and said that Gael accent was petty good. Remember, Argentinians are picky, so I believed him.
The camera could have moved more and Fito could have play more with the close ups much better (Philadelhia movie style).You know, Jonathan Demme.
It's no doubt that music could have better to get you in tone with the movie.
This story is a little hard to believe. If this has happen before to someone, that person should tell this story.
Fito, it seems you have money. Please use it wisely in movies. There are more fascinating stories where I am sure you can make more money.
Latinamerican films need to make a change but in a uplifting way. And I don't mean happy endings. But stories that most people can identify with and enjoy more at the same time.
Also if I ever do any movie, this a good one to watch what not to do.
Over and Out. Until next time.
Thanks.
Unbelievable
eugenep1311 September 2008
As in unbelievably bad, that is.
To a reviewer who called it superb, the director owes you big time,as he has at least one (and probably only) fan of his film.
Boring, slow and 90 minutes longer than it should've been, this movie gives nothing but painful shivers.
And, after the end credits finish, the main question persists: What on earth was it all about? Even though I haven't had a pleasure of being introduced to Mr. Paez's music, I am absolutely positive he is a great composer. But let's face the truth...Neither Mozart nor Bethoeven tried to make their living as painters....With all my respect, Mr. Paez, I hope you get my hint.
To a reviewer who called it superb, the director owes you big time,as he has at least one (and probably only) fan of his film.
Boring, slow and 90 minutes longer than it should've been, this movie gives nothing but painful shivers.
And, after the end credits finish, the main question persists: What on earth was it all about? Even though I haven't had a pleasure of being introduced to Mr. Paez's music, I am absolutely positive he is a great composer. But let's face the truth...Neither Mozart nor Bethoeven tried to make their living as painters....With all my respect, Mr. Paez, I hope you get my hint.
dint understand wat the hek is going on......
afterdarkpak27 July 2020
I watched many foreign movies , but this one has some very bad subtitles. so thats the main cause , another.. its kinda boring..
this movie is under category of "cheating wife" incest" category .. but...i understand that this happens in movie ..or not.
not worth to watch.
this movie is under category of "cheating wife" incest" category .. but...i understand that this happens in movie ..or not.
not worth to watch.
An Urgent, Controversial, Challenging Film from Argentina
gradyharp2 December 2006
Though the essence of this story goes all the way back to Greek plays, the theme of this radiant film has rarely seemed more cogent and contemporary. It is always refreshing to learn some occult historical information from a fictional movie and that is another reason to view this important film written by Alan Pauls and Fito Paez (an accomplished and respected musician in his directorial debut). The fact that Paez is the husband of the brilliant actress Cecilia Roth is another indicator that the collaboration of these two artists promises, and delivers, much! The cruelty of the dictatorships in Argentina during the 1970s (and into the 1980s) may not be widely known yet, so this film is revealing in its references to that period. Carmen Uranga (Cecilia Roth) has been living in Madrid for 20 years, following her 10-month imprisonment in Buenos Aires as a political undesirable. While in prison she endured rape, delivered a baby which was taken from her and put up for adoption, and became so psychically bruised that she has been unable to form close relationships in the interim years. She returns to Buenos Aires at the request of her family: her father (Hector Alterio) is dying and her younger sister Ana (Dolores Fonzi), a lawyer, is trying to put their father's estate in order, and care for their mother Sofia (Chunchuna Villafane) The physician Alejandro Rosenberg (Luis Ziembrowsky) attending their father has mysterious connections to Carmen and when she arrives in this strange household she is confronted with the nightmares of the past which she has never emotionally resolved.
One of Carmen's old friends Roxana (Carola Reyes) is grooming a young, handsome model/hustler Gustavo (Gael Garcia Bernal) and when Carmen confides to Roxana that she is in need of a sexual outlet while in Buenos Aires, Gustavo is the chosen one. At first summoned to Carmen's apartment with a female trick to perform audible sex acts for Carmen's hidden voyeuristic sexual gratification, Gustavo is gradually moved to the role of reading scintillating novels behind closed doors while Carmen pursues her self satisfaction in the adjacent darkened room. Eventually Gustavo (much younger than Carmen) becomes curious then obsessed with meeting Carmen face to face and this gradual change in their 'relationship' tips the scales of the story of the remainder of the film.
To say more would destroy the unraveling of this drama. Suffice it to say that Carmen's past while in prison surfaces in its entirety and the results alter the lives of every character in the film. The story has many more sidebars that add to the intrigue, but they are disparate and too numerous to mention.
The acting by these fine artists is consistently excellent: Cecilia Roth and Gael Garcia Bernal are extraordinary together and separately. In addition to the actors mentioned above, Lito Cruz stands out as Gustavo's 'father', opening a whole different study of father/son, genetic/adopted issues. The cinematography by Andres Mazzon finds the center of every scene and creates beautiful visual effects. The musical score by the director Fito Paez with Gerardo Gandini is stridently piercing, adding to the tension of the story.
This is not an easy film to watch, but for those who appreciated 'The Piano Teacher', 'The Mother', The Crime of Padre Amaro', 'Amores Perros' and other edgy films that dare to explore taboo subjects, this is a film that informs as well as provides a strangely fine tale. In Spanish with subtitles. Grady Harp
One of Carmen's old friends Roxana (Carola Reyes) is grooming a young, handsome model/hustler Gustavo (Gael Garcia Bernal) and when Carmen confides to Roxana that she is in need of a sexual outlet while in Buenos Aires, Gustavo is the chosen one. At first summoned to Carmen's apartment with a female trick to perform audible sex acts for Carmen's hidden voyeuristic sexual gratification, Gustavo is gradually moved to the role of reading scintillating novels behind closed doors while Carmen pursues her self satisfaction in the adjacent darkened room. Eventually Gustavo (much younger than Carmen) becomes curious then obsessed with meeting Carmen face to face and this gradual change in their 'relationship' tips the scales of the story of the remainder of the film.
To say more would destroy the unraveling of this drama. Suffice it to say that Carmen's past while in prison surfaces in its entirety and the results alter the lives of every character in the film. The story has many more sidebars that add to the intrigue, but they are disparate and too numerous to mention.
The acting by these fine artists is consistently excellent: Cecilia Roth and Gael Garcia Bernal are extraordinary together and separately. In addition to the actors mentioned above, Lito Cruz stands out as Gustavo's 'father', opening a whole different study of father/son, genetic/adopted issues. The cinematography by Andres Mazzon finds the center of every scene and creates beautiful visual effects. The musical score by the director Fito Paez with Gerardo Gandini is stridently piercing, adding to the tension of the story.
This is not an easy film to watch, but for those who appreciated 'The Piano Teacher', 'The Mother', The Crime of Padre Amaro', 'Amores Perros' and other edgy films that dare to explore taboo subjects, this is a film that informs as well as provides a strangely fine tale. In Spanish with subtitles. Grady Harp
a nice personal story
hcortesf30 November 2001
I strictly recommend this movie. You are engaged by the story from the beginning to the end. It talks about true love, death, family matters, past experiences and the Argentinian history. The cast is very good, especially Cecilia Roth who has played very good films ('Martin Hache' and 'En un lugar en el mundo'). The music is very expressive and it's suitable played, but sometimes it's too aggressive. One of the remarkable points of Vidas Privadas is the photography. My favorite shot is the one shown in the promotional poster. The main characters are psychologically together but physically separated by a door. They talk to each other but there is nor visual neither physical contact between them. As soon as they cross the door, many surprising and interesting things happen one after the other.
A soap opera ,,,99.4% Pure
jaybob1 April 2007
Warning: Spoilers
Yes this is a soap opera pure & simple, & it has ALL the ingredients. Incest,murder,lurid sex, jealousy,infidelity, you name it & this film has it.
Fito Paez Directed, co-wrote the literate script & co-wrote the fine music score. He succeeded in creating one very interesting film.
The 2 main stars are CECILIA ROTH & GAEL GARCIA-BERNAL., Miss Roth has been acting for over 22 years& Mr Grcia-Bernal is only 22.(when film was made). Both are excellent, they both are so talented the age difference (plus an other possible difference) does not matter..
The entire cast is excellent & the production is first rate all the way.
This is possible the 3rd or 4th film I have seen from Argentina & I have yet to be disappointed.
If you want to see a very fine drama rent this one.
Rating ***1/2 (out of 4) 92 points (out of 100) IMDb 9 (out of10
Fito Paez Directed, co-wrote the literate script & co-wrote the fine music score. He succeeded in creating one very interesting film.
The 2 main stars are CECILIA ROTH & GAEL GARCIA-BERNAL., Miss Roth has been acting for over 22 years& Mr Grcia-Bernal is only 22.(when film was made). Both are excellent, they both are so talented the age difference (plus an other possible difference) does not matter..
The entire cast is excellent & the production is first rate all the way.
This is possible the 3rd or 4th film I have seen from Argentina & I have yet to be disappointed.
If you want to see a very fine drama rent this one.
Rating ***1/2 (out of 4) 92 points (out of 100) IMDb 9 (out of10
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