Loco 33

I had this gem for ages and only a while back did I manage to spend the time to watch it, you know, when you had something in the closet for a while you sort of forgot about its existence, like the not yet replied emails.

What strikes me the most is its touch of nostalgia despite its theme of patriotism and other social and political issues. The real world is cruel and, quoting the professor, "sometimes in History violence is necessary" (translation mine) and with the date of selling the locomotive to Hollywood loomed ever larger they decided to resort to "violence", i.e., action. They are a bunch of old men with the same passion- the locomotive, their treasure, their proud and their nation.

The professor relates a story of Ray Bradbury which I don't know which one is the one he is talking about that the characters faced the challenge and danger without hesitation, even though they were helplessly crushed in the end. It's the spirit that counts, says the prof. And it's in this same spirit that they set out on this journey in the last stage of their lives.

I can't help feeling sad and happy at the same time when the credit rolled because the beloved Dante, Pepe and prof are gone, they're old and soon would be dead, but there's hope as well, there's Guito. It's a reflection of the circle of life itself.

Uruguay and movies aren't two words generally associated. In fact, IMDb list only around 50 movies from Uruguay. In 2002, this is 1 of the 4 produced in this little shire, and the Oscar runner. An old locomotive is going to be sold to Hollywood, as usually in the history the cultural patrimony goes from poor countries to the richer ones. The members of the "The rail's friends", an association of old men plain to steal it, rebelling against that patrimony robbery scenario. More romantic than real, sometimes the simple story seems a excuse for filming the old transport medium steaming on the tracks under the sun. Some good performances. Entertaining, yet forgettable. Not bad for a primer job. 6/10.

El Ultimo Tren opens, somewhat weakly for those of us who are linguistically challenged and stuck reading subtitles, with an assemblage of elderly gentlemen who are taking a vote on whether to proceed with an illegal act. In contrast, movie watchers who are fluent bilingually are more apt to notice a non-subtitled sign in the background in Spanish: Sociedad de Amigos Riel (Society of Friends of the Rail).

We have, then, an assortment of what appear to be rail worker pensioners and/or train aficionados. As the movie proceeds, although this is not totally clear, we gather that some of them may be aging railroad unionists. At least one is clearly leftist, as on the non-Franco advocacy side of the Spanish Civil War.

The plot is simple. An enterprising modern young businessman has salvaged and refurbished a vintage locomotive, which he plans to sell to Hollywood. The problem is, the locomotive is Uruguayan heritage, the last of its kind in the nation, and society members, who oppose the engine's acquisition by the gringos, vote by a narrow margin to kidnap it.

Implementation falls to three grandfatherly types and a youngster friend of one of them. Once the train gets rolling, the movie gets rolling too, enjoyably so and rapidly improving. Like the locomotive the conspirators seek to retain, the film is a keeper. There aren't many chances to see anything from Uruguayan cinema, although the population of such movies is increasing. This one is among your better bets from that limited pool.

Having the possibility to make dreams come true, once you are old, even taking risks it very challenging. The land and old machines are also pretty.

This nostalgic look at how unscrupulous people can do away with things and institutions long venerated by many, is at the heart of this film, which I saw in DVD format, since it has never had a commercial run in this country, to the best of my knowledge.

Director Diego Arsuaga has done wonders with this story about a bunch of older men, who are friends and all they have in common is their love for the steam trains of their youth. When they learn about the last locomotive being sold by the callous Jimmy to Hollywood, they rally against seeing their beloved, if a bit dilapidated locomotive, to be taken away from the country. They consider it to be a national treasure! How dare he?

This was an inspired cast that teams such accomplished performers such as Federico Luppi, Hector Alterio, Pepe Soriano and other great Argentine actors. Having seem them act in the theatre as well as in films, it was a real treat to see them interact so well together.

A feat no train lover should ever miss!