El cerrajero

"El Cerrajero" means "The Locksmith" not the Lock Charmer as the title has been translated. Sebastián, a twentysomething dweller of Buenos Aires is a locksmith by profession. He is involved in a relationship devoid of commitments with Monica, and seems to have an issue with other relations as well; he doesn't seem to communicate or feel much empathy for his sister, his nephews, his father or any of his friends.

All of a sudden Sebastian finds himself having ESP experiences; every lock he fixes reveals to him some secret of his client, and he is not able to keep the secret quiet. This leads to complications, but also to an act of pure kindness towards Daisy, the domestic worker of one of Sebastian's customers. It also leads to Sebastian beginning an examination of his own life and his relationship with Monica at the end of the film.

I found this movie intriguing and generally worth watching. The real and fantastic elements don't mesh smoothly at times, but provide for a whimsical treatment of a subject that could have easily degenerated into melodrama. There are some loose connections; for instance, the film begins with the statement that the events take place in 2008 during the three weeks that Buenos Aires was under the effect of a strange smoke (due to bush fires). This doesn't seem to connect with the plot.

Esteban Lamothe (who is constantly on screen) does a good job; his delivery is natural but tending to the monotonous, which in fact suits his character. Erica Rivas makes the most of Monica and the rest of the actors are at the same level. Good cinematography and fluid direction.