Cenizas del paraíso

"Ashes from Paradise" is a great, passionate movie, partly a murder mystery and partly a complex drama about lust and politics. It's refreshing to see a film with a crisply written script, sharply drawn characters and the depth. The director, Mr.Pineyro chose an exceptional cast of brave,talented actors. There are two murders in first few minutes of the movie and it would be so easy to stop at a straight police procedure. But the director goes much further. He tells us a story about power and corruption, about obsession and innocence, about loss and heartbreak. And much,much more. Acting is exceptional, raw and passionate.Great movie from Argentina.

I did not really get the point of "Cenizas Del Paraíso". The movie starts off in full swing and if the viewer doesn't pay very close attention throughout the beginning he or she is in trouble. I had to rewind the tape after about 15 minutes because I was so confused with all the details, names and events. And movies that have so much information, especially in the very beginning, usually have a story to tell, right. Well, the director did a great job at gluing the pieces together. Even with all the flashbacks I knew exactly what happened when and where and I was really dying to see what had really happened and who murdered the girl, and why. In the end I was not surprised at all, it was rather an anticlimax and I don't know what makes this movie better than an average "Matlock" episode. Sure, the acting is good (I really felt the immense love between father and sons during the dancing scene) and the plot is quite intriguing, but it's not executed in the best way. I wasn't expecting another "Usual Suspects" or something, but the movie made such a fuss about the murder I wasn't expecting predictability either. Oh, and what's up with the final scene with the brothers in the elevator. Maybe I'm complicating but is there a hidden message somewhere in there or is it just a final artistic moment. Worth for the performances, not the thrill. 7/10

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.

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.

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.