Los tallos amargos

"And we decided to celebrate our end like the doomed in the movies do."

I loved the look and feel of this Argentinian noir, with its flashbacks, surreal dream sequences, and segues into the inner thoughts of its main character. Instead of a femme fatale we get a tragic figure (Aída Luz), and instead of everything coming apart because of a con game, we get drama out of misunderstanding and paranoia. These are basically good people, driven to dark places by economic desperation, with the post-war conditions in Europe looming as a distant backdrop. I wasn't completely sure about the ending, as the digging wouldn't have to be too deep and the guy should have known it (being vague here on purpose), but I loved how brutally grim it was. Overall, a very satisfying film.

There are several twists and turns in this film, so you'll definitely cheat yourself if you read any reviews warning of spoilers.

Thanks to the Film Noir Foundation and UCLA, the restored version aired on TCM's Noir Alley hosted by Eddie Mueller. If you can catch his intro and outro, you'll learn some interesting things, such as the original novel was awarded a very prestigious Argentinian award as was the film itself, the score is by one of Argentina's most celebrated composers, and one of South America's most popular, if not most popular, female actors of the time has a small but important role.

There's all kinds of noir style going on, but there's also echoes of Edgar Allan Poe's use of concise storytelling, paranoia, and the concept of justice as an archetype. The acting is wonderful, and the cinematography is stunning. The musical score is all over the place, but it honestly works.

A must for noir junkies.

I am glad i found out about this movie. This is not a hidden gem but it's a good, maybe very good, crime/drama-film noir and every fan of this genre will probably like it. It doesn't even need to be a big fan of this genre, because all the elements of a good movie are here. Very good actors, a clever script, a very good director, nice cinematography and overall, an interesting-at least- movie.

I can't say i understood well the whole thing about this fraudulent operation of them. Maybe it was lost in translation. But the movie doesn't depend on this either way. Probably the biggest quality here is the script, this movie works better as a character study. The protagonist is a veey interesting character. And if you pay attention to his motives and his whole psyche, everything that he does is explainable. Not justified of course, but viewer can see the reasons.

It's getting gradually better and the last 20-30 minutes are the best part of this movie. I loved the fact that i couldn't see where it goes even though old movies are usually great but mostly predictable. The ending was very powerful if you catch the symbolisms. I didn't but i read some reviews and i understood this movie better.

THE BITTER STEMS is a 1956 Argentine Film Noir and is one of two new releases from Flicker Alley and the Film Noir Foundation that showcase two "lost" movies from 1950s Argentina. It was based on a best selling Argentine novel and is on AMERICAN CINEMATOGRAPHER's list of the 100 Best Photographed Films of all time. The cinematographer, Ricardo Younis, was a pupil of the legendary Gregg Toland (CITIZEN KANE) while Fernando Ayala was emerging as one of Argentina's top directors. After being acclaimed on its initial release, it disappeared for many years before being discovered at a private collector's home. Restoration was done at the UCLA Film & Television Archive.

The story concerns a disillusioned journalist (Carlos Cores) who joins forces with a Hungarian immigrant (Vassili Lambrinos) to create a fake journalism correspondence school so the Hungarian can bring his family to Argentina. It all starts well with the money rolling in and 2/3 going to bring the family over but soon the journalist thinks he is being cheated after the appearance of a woman who is not a family member. It is then that he takes matters into his own hands with tragic results. In addition to solid performances and moody photography, BITTER STEMS features an early score from celebrated composer Astor Piazzola.

Thanks once again to Flicker Alley for continuing their ongoing Film Noir Series in partnership with "Noircheologist" Eddie Muller and to his Film Nor Foundation for rescuing THE BITTER STEMS from oblivion. The DVD/Blu Ray combo comes with a 23 page booklet that is loaded with photos and information. Other extras include a filmed introduction on the movie with Muller, a conversation with Argentine archivist Fernando Martin Pena, and a profile of composer Astor Piazzola. Finally there is an optional commentary from film historian Imogen Sara Smith. An absolute must have for fans of Film Noir...For more reviews visit The Capsule Critic.

I've always searched great but unknown films noirs from outside USA, in England of course, but also France, Italy, Scandinavia, Egypt, South America and especially Argentina.

I just discovered this Argentinian noir movie, and it's a must. A real tough brainstorming in music, cinematography, script, acting. A constant crescendo creepy atmosphere about a man possessed by nasty war II nightmares. Very intelligent use of music by Astor Piazolla , wonderful cinematography by Ricardo Younis (Gregg Tolland's student). And what an ending, never seen such a cynical one. Bravo.