Clube da Lua

A superb movie, the best Argentine movie I've seen. The entire plot (the attempt to keep the neighbourhood social club going) is an allegory for Argentine recent history, and each character represents a strand in that, eg the old Don, the Spanish immigrant who came to Argentina so full of hope - like many - but whose time has passed. Despite the light relief and clever humour it's ultimately a tragic tale, as any good tango. I'm not sure how well it would play outside the country ie if it would resonate with people who didn't understand the allegory, but for anyone with an interest in Argentina it's a definite don't miss.

Luna de Avellaneda is a 70 years old club, in the good ol' days it had more than 8.000 members. There they teach ballet, you can play basketball, you can chat with your friends... In short: it's your family out of your family. Now, times have changed, things are getting hard and people don't have much money. The club has nowadays less than 300 members, and has lots of debts. They're going' to have to sell the facilities, they say they're gonna build a casino, they say there will be a job for everybody, they say prosperity will be back in town... they say...

This is such of a metaphor of the whole Argentinian situation. He uses this club to represent the reality of a country that's been hurt very deeply, surrounded by looters and sick of promises. A country which uses the sense of humor and the sarcasm as a medicine.

Two hours of rage, love after love, and tons of hope... (we really need that) *My rate: 8/10

A group of people from a neighborhood come together in the midst of their many troubles in order to attempt saving a sports and social club which they have been a part of for most of their lives. Things get complicated as the economy takes a hit and people fight through their own struggles on the side. Juan Jose Campanella places us, the viewers, right in the middle of the many problems which exist in the lives of all the people who share the commonality of being on the board of the CLA. Each one of the characters is both emotionally torn due to family or relationship issues, and in big financial need. Although the club is a large part of the reason for so much financial instability, it also seems to serve as the fountain of energy and inspiration for all of the characters. The story demonstrates clearly how society has changed and how difficult it is to move past economical issues, even when it means throwing a lifelong tradition to the side. Furthermore, it does paint a beautiful picture of finding hope and passion in the memory of how things used to be and how they could be once again with some time investment and sacrifice.

I am a great admirer of Juan Jose Campanella's films and this was the main reason why I decided to watch this film in first place. I did watch Son of the Bride and The Secret of Your Eyes, both great films. Ricardo Darin was another reason why I decided to watch it. I think he is now the greatest actor in the Hispanic cinema. It's amazing how the Capanella-Darin contributions worked so well in this "trilogy".

What is really cool about those films is that Campanella can create from a different situation many parallel stories. Like here for example, the main plot in "Luna..." is the administration board trying to save their beloved 70 year club from bankruptcy and to avoid the club to be sold and to build in his place a casino instead. From that plot Campanella shows not just the effort that the club employees do in order to save the club but he also shows the family and love relationships in the life of those people.

The trademark in the Campanella films is that he can balance the comedy with the drama. The soundtrack is beautiful as well like in all his films always with a great presence. The chemistry between Darin and Eduardo Blanco is always moving.

Although the film could it be a little bit shorter and sometimes the story does not develop as it should, its another great film by Juan Jose Campanella and Ricardo Darin that I definitely recommend it!

This movie reflects the reality of a decadent Argentinean present, after the golden year when immigrants would find a land full of opportunities. "Luna de Avellaneda" is about the neighbors of a club(very popular social recreational Argentinean icons) in the suburbs of Buenos Aires trying to save it from an becoming a casino. The characters will have to decide whether they let the club (and its history of prosperity) go in order for them to have a job opportunity.

This film reflects the sad moments Argentina is going through, and the despair of a group of people trying to hold back their dignity. As an Argentinean I cannot help having a bittersweet taste after watching this excellent movie.