Un oso rojo

What can I say about a film from one of the best filmmaker of the last decade in Argentina? The answer is: ALL. Caetano is a master, but in Un oso rojo only shows that he can manage a cinematogrephic language in an easy way, and that he can build an story with only two or three good ideas. Chavez is like Al Pacino, or better, like Beat Kitano: he goal one of the best interpretation of the argentinian history. A must see for thriller fans.

The pulpier elements in contemporary Argentinian cinema (eg, the brilliant "Nueve reinas" with its Mametesque antics) meet more kitchen sink oriented films such as "La ciénaga" and "Mundo grúa" - and the effect is quite smashing. Director Israel Adrían Caetano tells us the story of a man who lost everything - but after seven years of prison, Oso ('bear') wants to come back to his wife and their young daughter Alicia. However, Natalia, his wife, is now living with a new man... what does Oso, the criminal, do? The answer is surprising, and no spoilers shall be contained in this short review. With its postmodernist mix of action genres (western especially) and kitchen sink drama, Caetano and his brilliant actors and actresses have created a film that is both socially aware and entertaining.

In Un Oso Rojo, Adrian Caetano creates a character who can be very destructive and can only be tamed down by his wife and daughter. Oso is a family man whose lifestyle drove him right to prison for a number of years. Upon his return to the outside world, he finds himself wanting revenge from a boss and a renewed relationship with his daughter Alicia. Although these desires are not precisely in line with each other, the director does a great job at capturing the character's two sides, the tender hearted dad and the killing machine. Caetano definitely reaches the hearts of the audience by creating the image of a tough man who has lived a life of mistakes but yet is able to redirect his future. The love for one's family is a major theme which comes about from this character, as it is the force which influences Oso the most when it comes to making the right choices for the right reasons.

It is a standard movie enhanced by the performances and some dialogs. 'El oso' comes out of prison after having been convicted for armed robbery and homicide , and finds his wife and 10 years daughter in a new family with Sergio. Sergio isn´t passing good times, unoccupied and with debts.

The love of 'El oso' for his daughter becomes almost an obsession, as the idea of repair the time not passed together. 'Is it true you killed a cop?' she ask him. 'Of course is not true. That's a very bad thing to do', is his answer. And he try to collect the money of a previous robbery from some old colleagues. 7/10

"Un oso rojo" is an excellent movie because it has a compelling plot, great cinematography/ editing/ sound, a very believable cast, and an outstanding performance by Julio Chavez (lead actor)... his portrayal of "El Oso" as a tough guy with a good heart and a "code of honor" is breathtaking.

But the main reason why you should go see this movie is that you won't find any of the cliches that -sadly- characterized Argentine films: there are no politics, no melodramatic cheesy scenes, no sex, no nudity, no romance!!!...And the trailer is fantastic (I have to admit is the first time I go see an Argentine movie because I was captivated by the trailer).