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Rating: 
Summary: Argentina road movie
Review: An interesting movie in the "hitchhiker" vein where a computer programmer returns to Argentina from Europe to wander the hiways in search of? Along the way "Zarate" encounters a variety of odd ball characters each in search of? The common denominatior most of the characters seem to have is that they are all leaving Argentina. As much a commentary on contemporary Argentina as it is a road flick, "Zarate" sees the sad changes along his journey and it seems everyone he finds along the way is leaving the past behind. He encounters a heavy set, tarot card reading woman who reveals more than his future to him. The scene where they are stuck in a volkswagon in a river bed is very funny. He also meets a former circus performer turned con man who engages "Zarate" to help him pull off his tricks along the road to nowhere. He meets a wealthy man, recently dumped by his lover who is wandering the countryside in a Rolls Royce who has several "chance" meetings with "Zarate" along the way. He also meets a couple who like everyone else is searching for nirvana and think they will find it as they drive to of all places Cleveland, Ohio! Some people are going to Bolivia others to Brazil but along the way everyone is contributing to the corruption and thievery they are trying to leave. In a country where the poverty has driven people to cut the wires from the towns communications systems in order to salvage the copper for resale it is a sad state of affairs. The backdrop of the desolate Pampas is the perfect setting for this stark but humorous look at life. The various episodes of reality on the road make for an interesting , introspective look at the harsh conditions that are at times juxtaposed with flights of trivial insane behavior. This is a movie about broken dreams and renewed hope found along the way to ? Part philosophical inquiry, part social commentary this movie is one that makes you think and enjoy the scenery as you watch it. The result is an entertaining movie from Argentina for the world to ponder and enjoy.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best - Una de las majores peliculas de todo tiemp
Review: For those familiar with Southern Cone writers, this film shares the wanderer bleakness of a Sábato's "Héroes y Tumbas" - and the end-of-the-road tristesse of an Onetti's "Cuando ya no importe" - ("Que el ultimo en irse apague la luz" - Montevideo's epitaph spray-painted on the walls of the airport - "The last one please out turn off the lights"). A Shadow conveys a tanguero's nostaglia, a comradery and heartbreak of lost souls. For those familiar with Germanic writers, Knut Hamsun's "Mysterier", or Kafka's "Prozess" (The Trial), may come to mind - but in A Shadow, our wander is one among many, and there's the light, the perpetual wind, the sunsets, the semi-ghost towns of the pampas. Its absurd, poetic love of life places it more akin to Fellini - as though life were a concatenation of scenes - touching moments of intimacy, of failed dreams and haunting illusions. Indeed the main character has returned from Italy, to the Pampas' gallows humour roads and towns, driven by a nostalgia for a way of life that's too much in his blood, too much a part of him. The artistic touch for these wanderers is to sense the correct timing for their final bow and exit, before the actor and his role become grotesque. I find this a splendidly crafted, yet simple, low-budget, humanistic work of art. I wish there were more like it.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best - Una de las majores peliculas de todo tiemp
Review: For those familiar with Southern Cone writers, this film shares the wanderer bleakness of a Sábato's "Héroes y Tumbas" - and the end-of-the-road tristesse of an Onetti's "Cuando ya no importe" - ("Que el ultimo en irse apague la luz" - Montevideo's epitaph spray-painted on the walls of the airport - "The last one please out turn off the lights"). A Shadow conveys a tanguero's nostaglia, a comradery and heartbreak of lost souls. For those familiar with Germanic writers, Knut Hamsun's "Mysterier", or Kafka's "Prozess" (The Trial), may come to mind - but in A Shadow, our wander is one among many, and there's the light, the perpetual wind, the sunsets, the semi-ghost towns of the pampas. Its absurd, poetic love of life places it more akin to Fellini - as though life were a concatenation of scenes - touching moments of intimacy, of failed dreams and haunting illusions. Indeed the main character has returned from Italy, to the Pampas' gallows humour roads and towns, driven by a nostalgia for a way of life that's too much in his blood, too much a part of him. The artistic touch for these wanderers is to sense the correct timing for their final bow and exit, before the actor and his role become grotesque. I find this a splendidly crafted, yet simple, low-budget, humanistic work of art. I wish there were more like it.
Rating:
Summary: A great movie.
Review: This is a great movie. Since others have reviewed the plot I'll cover the specifics of the DVD features. I only wish it had some extras on the DVD. This DVD is like owning the VHS tape. It has no extras. The subtitles are automatic so you can't turn them off. The transfer is relatively good with only a few minor exceptions.
Rating:
Summary: A great movie.
Review: This is a great movie. Since others have reviewed the plot I'll cover the specifics of the DVD features. I only wish it had some extras on the DVD. This DVD is like owning the VHS tape. It has no extras. The subtitles are automatic so you can't turn them off. The transfer is relatively good with only a few mionor exceptions.
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