The aircraft already started its descent habang nasa last few minutes yong aking 3rd movie na pinanood aboard Qatar Airways. Buti na lang, nong tumakbo na ang credits nong film, sakto namang pinatay na ang in-flight entertainment dahil magla-land na nga. Ang sama siguro ng loob ko kung hindi yon natapos.
Argentina’s El Secretos de sus Ojos (The Secrets of Their Eyes), winner of Best Foreign language film last Oscar awards, is one movie na hindi ko pinagsisihang panoorin kahit inaantok ako. It proves once again that Hollywood doesn’t have the monopoly to excellent films.
It’s the story of a Buenos Aires Federal Investigation agent Benjamin Esposito (played by Ricardo Darin) told in a flashback format. Nag-umpisa yong film in 1999 when Benjamin is already retired from the service, walang magawa at naisipang magsulat ng story about his life. Little did he know that his novel will put an end to things na akala nya ay closed chapters na ng kanyang buhay.
He chose to write the story of a rape-slay case he handled in 1974. Masyado syang na-involve sa kasong ito because of the bond he formed with the victim’s husband, bank employee Ricardo Morales. Significant din ang mga panahon na yon sa buhay ni Benjamin dahil dito dumating ang babaeng minahal nya, ang magandang Harvard-educated lawyer na si Irene Menendez-Hastings (played by Soledad Villamil). A classy lady coming from an affluent and powerful family, si Irene ang naging section chief ni Benjamin noong tinatrabaho nya ang rape-slay case.
As Benjamin pursues the case, kasabay namang nadedevelop ang unspoken love between him and Irene. Though that love never get to surface dahil pareho nilang pinigil. Hanggang nag-asawa si Irene ng iba. And he thought that’s the end of their story.
Benjamin was able to solve the case, nahuli ang rape-slay perpetrator (Isidoro Gomez) at akala nya tapos na rin ang kaso. But barely a year after, Gomez was freed by a rival federal agent. Ang dahilan: napapakinabangan si Gomez dahil ginagamit itong informant at hitman for the Peronist party.
Then, in Benjamin’s own house, Sandoval (his assistant and close friend) was murdered by what appears to be henchmen connected to Gomez. Fearing for his life, Benjamin retreated to a province far from Buenos Aires sa tulong ni Irene and her family connections.
Doon na inabutan ng retirement si Benjamin. At bumalik lang sya ng Buenos Aires nang malapit nang matapos ang kanyang sinusulat na novel. He showed it first to Irene. Then the love story we thought has ended is just about to get a second wind.
Ganon din ang nangyari nong hinanap nya si Ricardo Morales who is now assigned to a quiet, l
ittle town. At dito, may isang istorya pa palang akala nya ay tapos na pero dito lang magkakaroon ng closure.
Armed with an interesting story, the Director Juan Jose Campanella created one excellent film. Supported by a very effective editing team who presented scenes shifting back and forth between the late 90’s and the early 70’s but will never confuse or lose you in the process. Magaling din ang production design coz they were able to recreate Buenos Aires on the same two time frames authentically.
Aside from Oscars, may iba pang international awards na napanalunan itong pelikulang ito including The Goya Award (Spanish version ng Oscar). And I’d say it deserves all the honors it reaped. Kaya nga sabi ko, kung nag-land ang eroplano at hindi ko natapos ang pelikulang ito, ang sama siguro ng loob ko. At hindi ko nakita yong talagang ending. Which I will not tell you. Hanapin nyo na lang and watch it for yourself!
Argentina’s El Secretos de sus Ojos (The Secrets of Their Eyes), winner of Best Foreign language film last Oscar awards, is one movie na hindi ko pinagsisihang panoorin kahit inaantok ako. It proves once again that Hollywood doesn’t have the monopoly to excellent films.
It’s the story of a Buenos Aires Federal Investigation agent Benjamin Esposito (played by Ricardo Darin) told in a flashback format. Nag-umpisa yong film in 1999 when Benjamin is already retired from the service, walang magawa at naisipang magsulat ng story about his life. Little did he know that his novel will put an end to things na akala nya ay closed chapters na ng kanyang buhay.
He chose to write the story of a rape-slay case he handled in 1974. Masyado syang na-involve sa kasong ito because of the bond he formed with the victim’s husband, bank employee Ricardo Morales. Significant din ang mga panahon na yon sa buhay ni Benjamin dahil dito dumating ang babaeng minahal nya, ang magandang Harvard-educated lawyer na si Irene Menendez-Hastings (played by Soledad Villamil). A classy lady coming from an affluent and powerful family, si Irene ang naging section chief ni Benjamin noong tinatrabaho nya ang rape-slay case.
As Benjamin pursues the case, kasabay namang nadedevelop ang unspoken love between him and Irene. Though that love never get to surface dahil pareho nilang pinigil. Hanggang nag-asawa si Irene ng iba. And he thought that’s the end of their story.
Benjamin was able to solve the case, nahuli ang rape-slay perpetrator (Isidoro Gomez) at akala nya tapos na rin ang kaso. But barely a year after, Gomez was freed by a rival federal agent. Ang dahilan: napapakinabangan si Gomez dahil ginagamit itong informant at hitman for the Peronist party.
Then, in Benjamin’s own house, Sandoval (his assistant and close friend) was murdered by what appears to be henchmen connected to Gomez. Fearing for his life, Benjamin retreated to a province far from Buenos Aires sa tulong ni Irene and her family connections.
Doon na inabutan ng retirement si Benjamin. At bumalik lang sya ng Buenos Aires nang malapit nang matapos ang kanyang sinusulat na novel. He showed it first to Irene. Then the love story we thought has ended is just about to get a second wind.
Ganon din ang nangyari nong hinanap nya si Ricardo Morales who is now assigned to a quiet, l
ittle town. At dito, may isang istorya pa palang akala nya ay tapos na pero dito lang magkakaroon ng closure.Armed with an interesting story, the Director Juan Jose Campanella created one excellent film. Supported by a very effective editing team who presented scenes shifting back and forth between the late 90’s and the early 70’s but will never confuse or lose you in the process. Magaling din ang production design coz they were able to recreate Buenos Aires on the same two time frames authentically.
Aside from Oscars, may iba pang international awards na napanalunan itong pelikulang ito including The Goya Award (Spanish version ng Oscar). And I’d say it deserves all the honors it reaped. Kaya nga sabi ko, kung nag-land ang eroplano at hindi ko natapos ang pelikulang ito, ang sama siguro ng loob ko. At hindi ko nakita yong talagang ending. Which I will not tell you. Hanapin nyo na lang and watch it for yourself!
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