Wow, what an absolutely moving, intriguing, and stellar piece of cinema. I haven't seen many foreign films, but based on my current track record they always manage to hit it out of the park. I didn't know what to expect going in, I was pretty much completely blind to what this movie was. But right from the get go, from that opening scene, the tone is set and the hook is in, and refuses to let go; not that you want to let go, either.
This movie has an incredible use of twists and turns, backstory and revelations. And it gives every characters the amount of time and care to make you really get their full involvement in the story. The amount of time and investment put on into many characters and their lives is almost unheard of and feels alien today with the rampant amount of media that surpass these kinds of endeavors with the characters that inhabit their stories.
Not only is it a tight, gripping mystery cop thriller, but it's just as much of a hear-tearing cautionary tale. The emotional beats are very high by the end of the film, but as they should be. The performances of this cast and their range of emotions really make the movie what it is, it gives us the full weight of the reality of the situation, and it's a very heavy weight to carry. The utilization of multiple different themes is what impressed me the most. By directing the audience towards a certain idea or understanding, or what we think happened in each point in time as we uncover for information, we are presented with a range of different themes and warnings surrounding the lives of our characters. Each testimony and interrogation presents its own little story with its own lessons to be learned, and builds up to the ultimate idea of how normal, loving, good people can absolutely destroy themselves and those they love.
In the end, EVERYONE who involves in the case themselves ends up getting hurt and hurting those around them. Some have good intentions, others not so much, but even so the movie still has the decency to give each character a chance to tell us who they really are and their motives, told in their own words. We're shown in great detail that everything isn't so black and white, but each character has a life, has loved ones, has a future they're looking forward to. And watching it all come together in the end is so satisfying yet so sad, it's such a strong and well-crafted ending.
The editing was, for the most part, very on point. It flows very well and keeps a good pace, never a dull moment. Visually it is very well done, making use of rain to create a beautiful and intense setting. With flashbacks, we are treated to various angles and moments of the same events and situations, and sometimes even from different perspectives. The filmmakers really went above and beyond the mark, and you can see it through the final product. It really is a strong narrative that has a lot to say.
On a side note, I absolutely love the time period this movies takes place in. I can't stand the modernity that no movie today can seem to escape, but here is like looking into a time capsule of a different world. Less technological, more strong values and sacrifices, cops actually getting in and doing the dirty work to uncover this convoluted and complex case.
10/10, possibly the best film of 2024 already.
