Cenizas del paraíso

Three Argentine brothers fall into the hands of a female judge, each individually claiming to be guilty of the murder of a powerful man's daughter. Having these three men in custody, the body of the dead girl, and the news that the brothers' father, who is also a judge, was also killed, Judge Teller finds herself in trying to unravel the complex mystery. The mystery which is presented with great passion and chaos from the very start of the film, is slowly unraveled by showing the main characters' individual perspectives of the previous week or so, one at a time. By showing one piece of the puzzle at a time, Marcelo Piñeyro builds up much suspense and pushes the audience to try to guess what the missing pieces will be. The story demonstrates what could happen to extremely close-knit families, such as the three men and their father, when certain destructive circumstances or people make their way into their lives. Although certain family bonds may be bent and weakened through such circumstances, these bonds are by no means easily broken.

This a top of the line police thriller, crossed with sibling/father rivalry drama, criminal who-done-it, and psychological character study. Quite unique really, the film is worthy of its impressive Argentine pedigree: directed by one of the country's greatest, and starring an ensemble of its best players. They range from its eldest living legend in the father/dead judge role to its most promising and popular young ones as the three sons. In between, the talent is just as impressive. This includes returning native Cecilia Roth, and talented local actors, mostly seen on TV. A very entertaining and intelligent film worth a watch.

Cenizas del Paraiso is an aptly-named crime-thriller with just the right amount of intrigue, romance, action and pathos. Besides the compelling direction and excellent acting, I was especially impressed by how the story insinuated certain disturbing circumstances without being soap-opera vulgar about them. The story and direction suggest an even more intriguing backstory than is overtly presented. Hector Alterio is an amazingly versatile and charismatic actor and I would see any film of his.

Regarding the previous reviewer's comment on Argentine cinema being used primarily as a political tool, among the Argentine films I've seen, many have little or no political themes. Cenizas del Paraiso does indeed involve economic and political corruption and how it can infect other institutions. In any case, one would hope that any country with a history of horrendous political and human rights abuses would evolve to the point where the arts and press are free enough to expose and alert the people to the dangers of such abuses. American cinema produces and exports films about corruption in America; it is a testimony to the existence of democracy in Argentina that it is able to do so about Argentina. That said, this film is primarily a psychological crime drama with a subplot which includes corruption.

This is basically a movie about family relations: brother with brother, father with son.

Judge Makantasis and his three sons get along so well you can almost feel it as the movie goes on. The scene where all the four dance in the Greek way shows us how well based are the love and caring from one to the others.

Loyalty among brothers, because of a girl. Loyalty with their father, and how their world goes upside down when he dies.

I think is genial the way the director shows the story in a non-chronological order, dividing it in as many parts as brothers. It makes you understand each one's motivation.

A movie about family, fathers, sons, brothers, love, loyalty, sacrifice.

This Marcelo Pineyro's 1997 directorial effort, shows a man that understands how to involve his viewers into a story that is not only pleasant to look at, but with a message. Working with Aida Bortnik, they have created a film that will surprise a lot of people, fortunate enough to watch it.

The film involves the family of a judge in Buenos Aires and his three sons. Costa Makantasis is an honest man surrounded by corruption in higher places. He is trying to uncover the machinations of Francisco Muro, a powerful man that is involved in many dirty business in Argentina. As luck should have it, his younger son meets Muro's beautiful daughter, Ana. The young woman practically moves into the Makantasis household as she and Nicolas are enjoying their time together.

Nicolas, the older Makantasis son, falls under the spell of Ana, as well. And we also have seen how Pablo, the middle sibling stares at the sexy woman. We realize there is going to be a reckoning because the way Ana is the object of love of two of the brothers who feel passionate about her.

The film begins with events that are the conclusion of the events that culminate in horrible deaths for two key figures in the story. In flashbacks, as a special judge, Beatriz Teller, examines the facts surrounding the mysterious circumstances in the two deaths, we are given the details in order to absorb what really happened.

Mr. Pineyro gets excellent performances of his cast. Hector Alterio, is seen as the head of the Makantasis family. He is a good man who is pursuing a cause that means a danger for himself. The wonderful Cecilia Roth plays the investigating judge Teller with a fury that shows her determination and resolve. Leonardo Sbaraglia, one of the best actors from Argentina, is seen as Pablo, the middle brother. Daniel Kuzniecka makes Nicolas, the older brother, come alive. Leticia Bredice is amazing as Ana, the woman who awakens passion in all the brothers.

The film will satisfy the viewers because of the rich web spun by Marcelo Pineyro to ensnare us into this interesting tale of passion and crime.