Cenizas del paraíso

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.

I've seen this movie at least eight times, and I never get tired of watching it. Among the good reasons to afirm this is that is one of the very few Argie films that tells a story, instead of using film as a political weapon.

But in the other hand is his bright and excelently written screenplay (by director Marcelo Piñeyro and known argentinian screenwriter Aida Bortnik), its smart, precise and sharp directing and the gifted performances of all actors in it.

On the scale of 1 to 10, I'll give this masterpiece a 10, because it really deserves it.

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.

I've seen this movie from Argentina, and I think my opinion can be divided in two parts: the script and way the director guides us through it.

The script is an excellent thriller, with all the characters very well designed. The three brothers and their getting along with the father... you can feel their pain for his death. I think the scene where all they four dance that Greek music is breath-taking.

And the way the director puts us in the plot, with all the flashbacks. You never get lost. Separating the story in parts, it makes all much more clear.

Finally, thanks a lot for the update. I was sure Francisco Muro was not a judge.