En la puta vida

This Uruguayan film is surprisingly good. Not being acquainted with either the director, or the film, as I don't think it has been shown locally, I decided to take a look. It certainly was a welcome surprise what director Beatriz Flores Silva has accomplished.

The story centers around Elisa, a young single mother, who must make ends meet by going into the world's oldest profession. Elisa, like other young women, I'm sure, is lured into taking a big leap into the riches that Placido suggests are not to be believed doing that kind of work in Barcelona.

Elisa gets more of what she bargained for. She is beaten by Placido and the reality is that she is part of a lucrative business not to be realized by her, but her pimps and the mafia that controls it. It seems incredible that someone as intelligent as Elisa is, falls into this world where women are in danger by working the mean streets in the old quarter of the city.

The film owes a great deal to Mariana Santangelo, a young actress who is a natural. She is an excellent actress who knows the character she is portraying. Andrea Fantoni, as her best friend, Lulu, also is very effective in the film. Silvestre as Placido, the suave pimp, plays his part well. Finally, Jose Linuesa, is also good as Marcelo, who is the only one that helps Elisa escape her horrible experience in Spain.