Roa

I didn't come in with much expectations for this film. A good piece of colombian cinema is hard to find, since most films are about violence and drugs, or are very stupid comedies about the peculiar characteristics of being colombian. The movie is about the supposed killer of Jorge Eliecer Gaitán, a very important public figure and electoral favorite in the 1940's Bogotá. His kill unleashed the Bogotazo, a historical event where the city was almost destroyed. But the movie is not a historical movie. There is almost no politics or stuff surrounding Gaitán.

Probably the best things about the movie are the main actor (unknown Mauricio Puente) and the setting. The effort to put a credible Bogotá in the 1940's is big and successful. The photography is very good. The story is well managed and well paced.

It's not brilliant cinema. But it's a good movie. If you're colombian, and believe most colombian films are pure crap, watch this. If you are not colombian but are somehow interested in knowing colombian cinema, watch this (along with other good movies as La estrategia del caracol, Rodrigo D, Sofía y el terco).

Some might find parallels with the Kennedy assassination as the actual perpetrators of the important historical event which climaxes this film are still disputed. There are many possible culprits and this film gives just one possible scenario. It does not go into politics but is a sombre psychological portrait, though with many touches of dry humour.

Excellent photography and recreation of Bogota in the 1940s. The acting styles are also redolent of that period. I am not sure if that was intentional, but it works well.

One slight puzzle. Although by the time of the events shown Roa is an obvious loser, there are many suggestions that he has (or at one time had) the ability to charm people. He has a beautiful and kindly young wife and other loyal and long-suffering friends. but only the weak, naïve, delusional and surly aspects of his character are ever shown (apart from his love for his daughter).