Reviews

I didn't see the conflict of this movie as powerful as it should've been, maybe it was intended to be subtle, but it doesn't work, it's too subtle. It's one of those movies in which the theme takes over the conflict-to-be-solved. At least I didn't see any major turning points or reversals or complications or anything like it, just a very "subtle" scene in which Pacino's character realizes the killing of the girl was "just politics". One might think hey, now his life is in danger, but then we see him hugged with his antagonists. Anyway, Al's performance is terrific; there are also some scenes that mind remind you Kubrick's 'Eyes wide shut'. If you wanna see rare, and sometimes boring character studies, don't check this one, this one at least is telling something, check some 70s movies like 'Five easy pieces' or the antiplot 'The King of Marvin Gardens', both directed by Bob Rafelson, a mediocre director and screenwriter I think; but they both also have wonderful, uncanny performances of Jack Nicholson, Al Pacino's contemporary.

I liked the movie but if you read the Mario Vargas Llosa's novel it's even better. The movie is as good as La boca del lobo. The acting is good: Alberto, el Esclavo, Jaguar, and specially Gustavo Bueno as Teniente Gamboa. A classic of peruvian filmography.

I didn't enjoy it the first time I watched it. I gave it a second chance and I kinda liked it: It's romantic but weird.