A brief review: "Ella" [2010 Peru]

It's unfortunate that I had to start an important Latin American director's filmography in the blog with a totally forgettable film - I'd wanted to review Francisco J. Lombardi's most recent film "Ella" [Eng. Title: She] before getting into his rightly awarded and famous earlier political and social dramas.

Ella - well she has a name too - Luna (Patricia Garza), is actually about her much older husband and painter Alfredo (Paul Vega), and his choice of actions/reactions after she decides to leave him for a lover that he wasn't aware of. Alberto has been going through a creative crisis and is under pressure to complete a series of paintings for a forthcoming show. It is nevertheless also plain to see that he'd been treating Luna, who's also his model, largely as an object of desire and obsession - capturing with camera her every movement in the house when she's not posing for him, and memorising her every physical feature, moles and warts included - he'd apparently counted twenty seven moles on her body. When Alfredo tracks down and entraps the lover she'd wanted to elope with (Rómulo Assereto), he'll discover that they both have more in common than merely desiring the same woman...

A cuckolded husband and his wife's lover getting to know each other and bonding over their common object of desire is as good a premise as any for creating drama - it is intriguing even, but it is in the execution - particularly the screenplay and rather pedestrian performances that the film is let down - it resembles the rough cut of an unfinished film or a nondescript TV drama than a major director's work. More worryingly, the film is not even being ironic when it seemingly rewards men for their selfish motives - artistic struggle or not, and it is always depressing to see a good plot wasted with poor screenplay and characterisation. The film's title too should have probably been El cuerpo de Luna - because we don't get to see a person - only her body, whether alive or dead. But for those still interested, a DVD order link can be found below.

Amazon.com DVD Link [NTSC]

 

 

The Nudity: Patricia Garza
Cute Mexican actress Patricia Garza appears only in a few scenes, and she's nude in most of them with very few words to say, and we hardly get to know her character (Luna) any better, even after the credits start rolling.



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Scenes from El Guachiman [2011 Peru]

It is not often that we get to review films like this, but since Gastón Vizcarra's low-brow comedy "El Guachimán" [The Watchman] isn't particularly making waves anywhere else, it is perhaps reason enough to find out why.

Alejandrino Falopio (Guillermo Castañeda) - not the sharpest tool in the shed, lands himself a job as a guard for a security firm, but that isn't good enough to impress Laurita (Stephanie Orúe) - the girl he's crazy about, and she'd started looking around for someone who could better provide for her needs. Desperate to make money, fast, 'Falopio' makes off with one of the money bags during a collection-round, sparking a city-wide manhunt and frenzied TV reportage where he's seen by locals as a hero. After Laurita spurns him yet again, he decides to spend the cash on a new set of wheels, expensive hotel suites, and prostitutes. One of them - Sol (Anahí de Cárdenas), discovers his identity and takes him to the cleaners after promising him a good time. The police catch up with him, and Sol along with the cash, but will notice some of the loot still missing...

I think the producers, probably rightly, felt a rags-to-riches plot with a few scantily clad 'chicas' and stale gags would be enough to woo a DVD-audience brought up on a diet of cheesy Hollywood trash-comedies. The stereotyping is so outrageous that no one but the deluded is likely to take it seriously - this is after all the kind of film that people won't openly admit to watching, much less enjoying. Intended for those who secretly enjoyed a Harold and Kumar or an American Pie.

Amazon.com DVD Link [NTSC]

 

The Nudity: Shirley Arica, Anahí de Cárdenas, and Génesis Tapia
Three scenes chronicling Falopio's whore-soliciting escapades contain some unimaginative nudity; the first of these feature Peruvian model Shirley Arica as Laurita (not to be confused with the namesake he was in love with). The second is funny in that Sol (Anahí de Cárdenas) admonishes him for looking at her while having sex. The third is an interrupted session with Génesis Tapia.



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Gianella Neyra in "Polvo Enamorado" [2003 Peru]

"Polvo Enamorado" appears to have been Peruvian director Luis Barrios' only feature film. Since I haven't seen any of his TV dramas, this film is my only point of comparison.

Storyline:
Natalia who had wanted to live in the convent is for some reason given away in marriage to Matías, mayor of a fishing village, on condition that they don't partake in sexual congress. But middle-aged Matías couldn't help desiring her sexually, and he drugs her every night to achieve meaningless intimacy as some consolation. And it appears that his son from a previous marriage, Percy also fancies Natalia, but doesn't make any moves due to respect for his father. Matías is actively involved in protecting the interest of his citizens, and in the process incurs the wrath of a large fishing company using trawlers. Meanwhile, new priest Santiago arrives to take over church services, and Natalia finds herself being irresistibly attracted to him. She soon foregoes any intention of joining the convent and instead seduces Santiago to embark on a secret affair. After one of their indiscreet moments is witnessed by Percy, he wastes no time in reporting the incident to his father, which sets off a chain of events...

While part of the storyline is reminiscent of a more famous Mexican film (Il Crimen del Padre Amaro), it unfortunately doesn't reach anywhere near that film in terms of direction and cinematography - it is filmed pretty much like a TV melodrama and doesn't aspire to achieve anything cinematic. And I hate to admit - the only reason I purchased this DVD was for the depiction of a sex scene quite rare for conservative Peru - between Gianella Neyra and Paul Vega. I'm afraid there is little else here to write about. But here's the DVD link for those interested:

Amazon.com DVD Link


 

Compilation: Gianella Neyra



Scene Guide:

• Matías is only able to look at wife Natalia naked when she's unconscious. Natalia is played by Gianella Neyra.
• As it happens, he gets found out one day, much to his wife's dismay.
• Natalia connects with newly arrived priest Santiago and despite his initial reluctance, they embark on a secret affair.
• They will soon be caught in the act by Natalia's husband Matías...

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Elsa Pataky and others in "Máncora" BR720 [2008 Peru, Spain]

This is a rare re-review in this blog. Having recently re-watched Ricardo de Montreuil's Peruvian drama, "Máncora", I realise my earlier assessment was perhaps a bit harsh. And it is only fair that I give it a more balanced review again. Oh well - who said rabbits always get it right the first time! :)

Given the risqué nature of the film's storyline, far from messing things up, I think the director had done a commendable job in treading delicately on the subject - the film would have been an altogether different product in the wrong hands. While the story pushes the boundaries of conventional morality, not least that of deeply conservative Peruvian society, it doesn't delve on their portrayal for more than is needed. I can see that the screenplay and direction have also been inspired by the style and tone used in the Mexican classic "Y tu mamá también" - it is treated like a road movie for a period of time, and similarly show characters intellectually 'growing-up' as the film progresses. This is nevertheless a much lighter film, which may well been the reason why I was initially put-off. It is a film intended for an informed albeit younger mainstream audience, and it achieves its purpose of injecting positivity into cynical youth without sounding preachy. The film is also aided by its tourist-brochure-like sparkling cinematography - the locations in and around Mancora where it was mostly shot are actually quite stunning, as is the vibrant soundtrack. I'm pleased to say - this is Recommended Viewing..!

Amazon Blu-ray Link
(Value for money as it also includes a delightful Puerto Rican comedy "Maldeamores")




Storyline:
Twenty one year old Santiago is shattered after his father commits suicide. His half sister Ximena from New York makes a surprise visit with hubby Iñigo to console him. After they learn he's heading for Máncora, a quaint fishing village north of the country where Santi and Ximena spent childhood holidays, they too decide to tag along. Ximena, whose marriage to Iñigo is getting rocky, spends more time with half-brother Santiago, and they venture into uncharted territory - technically at least, they're committing incest. And it doesn't take long for Iñego to find out either. All three party, get stoned and get laid in chaotic fashion - Iñego tries to get even with Ximena by not only having a fling with a bar-girl, but also asking Ximena to join them for a threesome. Santiago fools around with some local girls but harbours feelings for Ximena that are not essentially brotherly. Things seemingly heading in a downward spiral are rescued by a combination of events, even if the way the film ends sounds tad fanciful.




Compilation:
Elsa Pataky, Ángela Alegria Velásquez, Anahí de Cárdenas, and Liz Gallardo



Scene Guide:

• Ximena changes into underwear in Santiago's presence and mockingly tells him off for looking at her. Ximena is played by the utterly delectable Elsa Pataky. But alas, a brief flash of Ms. Pataky's buttocks is all we get to see nudity-wise in the film.
• After smoking a joint at the beach, Ximena decides to get wet (no pun intended), and Santiago follows, both soon end up rolling in the sand, making love.
• At a party, naughty local rich girl Ana Maria, played by Anahí de Cárdenas, and her girlfriend La Cachi, played by spicy Ángela Alegria Velásquez invite Santiago to join them for a game of 'Squash'. I think I could get used to that sport...
• The best is saved for the last - this is of game Liz Gallardo who plays the barmaid that Iñego prepositions, having some carefree fun - she's however disappointed his wife Ximena had refused to join them for a threesome.

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