No Abras Nunca Esa Puerta / Don't Ever Open That Door (1952):
Brief Review -
Two shocking stories of murders that you can't miss. Though very similar to other stories of this kind, this movie has a unique way of storytelling and captures the essence splendidly. The film is divided into two narratives (based on shorts, Somebody on the Phone and Humming Bird Comes Home), both depicting a murder or murders, followed by a shocking ending that stuns you. The first story revolves around a woman and her brother. The woman is threatened by an unknown assailant due to her gambling debts. Before the man can gather more information, his sister commits suicide. In a quest for revenge, he follows a man and kills him, leading to a twist in the tale at the end, which I won't spoil. The idea of using a ringing phone as the unique selling point is excellent. The second story centers on a blind woman and her niece living together in a house. Two criminals arrive after a bank robbery, one of whom is her son, who left the house years ago. Although the woman cannot see, she is incredibly strong in her senses and realizes that her son has gone astray. How she tackles the situation at night forms the crux of the story, culminating in another shocking climax. Watch out for that; I won't spoil it. You might have seen it in some old hollywood movie. The Argentine thriller effectively utilizes its unique selling point and keeps viewers engaged for 80 minutes. However, I believe the film could have been faster in places. There are many moments and actions that extend for about 2-3 minutes, and the outcome is similar to what it would have been with a 30-second scene. Nevertheless, it remains an engaging flick that deserves to be watched and enjoyed for its brilliant ending scenes. Believe me when I say this; the performances and direction are certainly worth your time.
RATING - 7/10*
By - #samthebestest.
