Imagining Argentina (2003) Movie Review, Trailer, Film Still and Poster

Argentina 2003
Director: Christopher Hampton
Cast: Antonio Banderas, Emma Thompson, Kuno Becker, Leticia Dolera, Hector Bordoni, Irene Escolar
Rating: R
Release Date: 12 September 2003
Running Time: 1 hour 48 minutes

The Movie Review

Imagining Argentina film still 1


IMAGINING ARGENTINA
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Imagining...sounds like a word that automatically connects with a world of fantasy, a world filled with beautiful images and wishful thinking. Flip it upside down then you are about to grasp the premise of Imagining Argentina. Released in September 2003, it was originally based on a great political novel written by Lawrence Thornton in 1987, and is the first entry that followed by another novel also by Lawrence entitled "Naming the Spirits" and "Tales from the Blue Archives".

In the period of military government in 1970s, in Argentina, people are disappearing mysteriously. Their family suspects this is the work of the government to get rid of those who dare to oppose it. Along with all that's been kidnapped is a journalist named Cecilia Rueda (Emma Thompson), a wife of a children theatre director Carlos Rueda and a mother to a teenager Teresa Rueda (Leticia Dolera). After the missing of Carlos' wife, he searches her by the help of his mind psychic ability that makes him able to see a few things or hints of his wife whereabouts. Some of Carlos' neighbours and those who lost their families now also seek help from Carlos to find their missing family.

José Antonio Domínguez Banderas who is actually a Spanish actor now grows beard and moustache on his face, performs for the second time as an Argentine after the 1996's movie Evita with Madonna. Now he's trusted to enliven one of the gloomiest facts in the history that is based on real events happened in Argentina. Facts that are portrayed so vividly in such a heartbreaking way. It's good, the more vivid it is the more people will learn from a mistake and the more believable this movie becomes. And choosing a great actress such Emma Thompson to work alongside Banderas was a great decision.

Some people say "Reality bites", so as this move biting the audience from the beginning till the end. Somber and sad, the history of Argentina with all those poor people being abducted and raped, notably Cecilia and her daughter. After seeing this film it would leave a sad feeling and empathetic feeling for those people who had to suffer at that time.

© iwan pranowo of Movielogy.com