Cenizas del paraíso

"Ashes from Paradise" is a great, passionate movie, partly a murder mystery and partly a complex drama about lust and politics. It's refreshing to see a film with a crisply written script, sharply drawn characters and the depth. The director, Mr.Pineyro chose an exceptional cast of brave,talented actors. There are two murders in first few minutes of the movie and it would be so easy to stop at a straight police procedure. But the director goes much further. He tells us a story about power and corruption, about obsession and innocence, about loss and heartbreak. And much,much more. Acting is exceptional, raw and passionate.Great movie from Argentina.

I've seen this movie from Argentina, and I think my opinion can be divided in two parts: the script and way the director guides us through it.

The script is an excellent thriller, with all the characters very well designed. The three brothers and their getting along with the father... you can feel their pain for his death. I think the scene where all they four dance that Greek music is breath-taking.

And the way the director puts us in the plot, with all the flashbacks. You never get lost. Separating the story in parts, it makes all much more clear.

Finally, thanks a lot for the update. I was sure Francisco Muro was not a judge.

This Marcelo Pineyro's 1997 directorial effort, shows a man that understands how to involve his viewers into a story that is not only pleasant to look at, but with a message. Working with Aida Bortnik, they have created a film that will surprise a lot of people, fortunate enough to watch it.

The film involves the family of a judge in Buenos Aires and his three sons. Costa Makantasis is an honest man surrounded by corruption in higher places. He is trying to uncover the machinations of Francisco Muro, a powerful man that is involved in many dirty business in Argentina. As luck should have it, his younger son meets Muro's beautiful daughter, Ana. The young woman practically moves into the Makantasis household as she and Nicolas are enjoying their time together.

Nicolas, the older Makantasis son, falls under the spell of Ana, as well. And we also have seen how Pablo, the middle sibling stares at the sexy woman. We realize there is going to be a reckoning because the way Ana is the object of love of two of the brothers who feel passionate about her.

The film begins with events that are the conclusion of the events that culminate in horrible deaths for two key figures in the story. In flashbacks, as a special judge, Beatriz Teller, examines the facts surrounding the mysterious circumstances in the two deaths, we are given the details in order to absorb what really happened.

Mr. Pineyro gets excellent performances of his cast. Hector Alterio, is seen as the head of the Makantasis family. He is a good man who is pursuing a cause that means a danger for himself. The wonderful Cecilia Roth plays the investigating judge Teller with a fury that shows her determination and resolve. Leonardo Sbaraglia, one of the best actors from Argentina, is seen as Pablo, the middle brother. Daniel Kuzniecka makes Nicolas, the older brother, come alive. Leticia Bredice is amazing as Ana, the woman who awakens passion in all the brothers.

The film will satisfy the viewers because of the rich web spun by Marcelo Pineyro to ensnare us into this interesting tale of passion and crime.

I did not really get the point of "Cenizas Del Paraíso". The movie starts off in full swing and if the viewer doesn't pay very close attention throughout the beginning he or she is in trouble. I had to rewind the tape after about 15 minutes because I was so confused with all the details, names and events. And movies that have so much information, especially in the very beginning, usually have a story to tell, right. Well, the director did a great job at gluing the pieces together. Even with all the flashbacks I knew exactly what happened when and where and I was really dying to see what had really happened and who murdered the girl, and why. In the end I was not surprised at all, it was rather an anticlimax and I don't know what makes this movie better than an average "Matlock" episode. Sure, the acting is good (I really felt the immense love between father and sons during the dancing scene) and the plot is quite intriguing, but it's not executed in the best way. I wasn't expecting another "Usual Suspects" or something, but the movie made such a fuss about the murder I wasn't expecting predictability either. Oh, and what's up with the final scene with the brothers in the elevator. Maybe I'm complicating but is there a hidden message somewhere in there or is it just a final artistic moment. Worth for the performances, not the thrill. 7/10

This is basically a movie about family relations: brother with brother, father with son.

Judge Makantasis and his three sons get along so well you can almost feel it as the movie goes on. The scene where all the four dance in the Greek way shows us how well based are the love and caring from one to the others.

Loyalty among brothers, because of a girl. Loyalty with their father, and how their world goes upside down when he dies.

I think is genial the way the director shows the story in a non-chronological order, dividing it in as many parts as brothers. It makes you understand each one's motivation.

A movie about family, fathers, sons, brothers, love, loyalty, sacrifice.