Viúvas

'Viudas' is an Argentine movie, so that's to say that it's a movie that came from the most intelligent and sensitive country in South America when one thinks about movie industry. Unfortunately, 'Viudas' is a movie that never defines itself. Is it a black romantic comedy? Is this a drama about love and its pains and losses? Well, whatever the right answer - and that answer must be given by the audience - the outcome is disappointing and unsatisfactory. In fact, 'Viudas' seems like a TV episode in an ordinary soap opera with all the shallowness and weak propositions that is typical in this kind of production. The story concerning the relationship between an old man and a young radio reporter and the discovery of that liaison by the man's wife after his death is treated with almost unrealistic tones and far fetched situations that never involved the audience until the extremely sentimental and routine end. The movie is not so terrible, although its weaknesses. Even here you can find out the sparkle and intensity of movies made in Argentina. The great spotlight here is the hilarious and realistic performance of Rita Cortese.

It was a strange movie. I could not believe the story at the end. I was hoping there must be a twist and the younger woman was not the lover. However, Adela had been having an affair with the husband and Adela had her baby at the end. It is a horrible story. I do not think there is anything educational about this part. Black humor? It was not really funny. The gay maid was funny. Is this comedy? If I try to understand, the wife is old. Once her husband dies, the wife will be alone. So it may be better for her to have a daughter like Adela. Adela have a baby, so the wife can have a grandchild, so the wife will never be alone. But still it is a strange story.

Enjoyable from beginning to end.

The technical side of this film is so good that you forget there is a camera between you and the actors.

Photography, lighting, sound: Sheer perfection.

Not to mention the acting: These actors could have been directed by Ingmar Bergman. Marcos Carnevale was the director, as good as the Swedish Master.

Graciela Borges (Elena in the film) was extraordinary as usual. And she looks incredibly young and beautiful besides being such a proficient actress.

Rita Cortesse (Esther) A winner hands down. What an actress! I will always remember her marvelous film "Herencia" -2001.

Valeria Bertuccelli: Perfect casting. Very good actress.

Martin Bossi: (Justina in the film) this one could be the Achilles heel in this film. Why? Although his performance is flawless, it was disorienting (to me at least) not to understand his character looks from the very beginning: Nowadays there are so many shades of genres that they blend all together in blurry confusion; could he/she has been a Trans in transition? has he transitioned already? is he just gay? is he a heterosexual man that enjoys dressing up in women's clothes?

We'll never know.

He plays his character too stiff and almost with fear of being booed by the audience, so one sees all the time a man slightly modified with a miniskirt and a pony tail.

The story is very interesting, being a love triangle, they never fail to grab you till the bitter end: Who wins, the wife or the lover? Since even IMDb blows the core of this story without the ubiquitous "spoilers ahead" I assume I won't have any problems talking openly about it.

The script is terribly astute and subtle in offering us in small doses the imperceptible changes both women go through in confronting each other under the shadow of the dead husband/lover, traitor in life to both of them. "Widow", singular, "Widows", plural. Clever manipulation for the title, indeed!

Meanwhile Esther, Elena's best friend, sees it all (and so does Justina, the Paraguayan maid, working at Elena's home for the last 14 years, and knowing her better that Elena herself. When at the phone, gossiping with a friend, Elena enters and Justina immediately changes from Spanish to Guarani, so Elena won't understand - -by the way, Guaraní is one of the most beautiful and melodious languages on earth-- unfortunately going head on to extinction (caution: I'm NOT Paraguayan).

If you are not fully grown up, please, stay away as far as you can from this film as from the Black Plague; it's subject matter, black humor and subtle feelings, all exceed your understanding.

I must say that the very end of this film, corny (according to another reviewer) or not, is masterful, it's so sublime that instantly will melt your heart. The beginning of a beautiful, understanding and rock solid friendship. It reminded me of "Les parapluies de Cherbourg".

Summing it up: Go and see it.

Graciela Borges was 70 when this movie was made. What a beauty! I find Argentinian women strikingly beautiful. I enjoyed watching this movie, but it won't appeal to the Hollywood audience.

A drama with a light touch of comedy, excellent production by the brothers, a simple and direct approach to betrayal, mourning, forgiveness and generosity, highlighting the supporting characters Justine (transvestite housekeeper, I don't know if that would be the appropriate term) and the sincere friend and assistant Esther, they guarantee the lightness of heavy themes, with a really pleasant script that makes us smile sincerely at the painful pity of the protagonists... Fun, exciting and questioning...

Before dying, Augusto asks his wife, Elena, to take care of his young lover, Adela. From then on, the two women try to play the game as best they can: Elena dedicates herself to her work as a documentary filmmaker and avoids the presence of Adela, who finds a way to console herself by trying to learn about the life of her love through the person who was his "legitimate" wife.