Set in the Buenos Aires of the 1940s and based on the eponymous novel by Roger Plá, "Paño verde" chronicles the formation, rise, and fall of a criminal gang led by Miguel Acuña, a man living a double life: by day, he's a bar owner; by night, he's the head of a band of outlaws. The film delves into themes of revenge, loyalty, and betrayal, illustrating how ambition and violence can corrupt both an individual and those around him.
Carlos Estrada delivers a solid performance as Miguel Acuña, adeptly capturing the character's duality between an outwardly indifferent facade and a calculating, violent nature. The cast, including the likes of Luis Brandoni, adds depth to the film, though Brandoni's role could have been expanded for greater impact.
However, the movie has its flaws: some dialogues tend to cool the intensity of the scenes, an area where the direction could have been more innovative. Moreover, the narrative pace is too slow, which might cause viewers to lose interest as the film progresses.
