Alias Gardelito

Lautaro Murúa is one of Argentina's best-known actors, and this is his second feature as director. This movie was influenced by Film Noir, the French new wave, and neo-realism; which makes an interesting cocktail. Set in the Buenos Aires of the early 60s, it tells the story of a down-and-outer who has aspirations of stardom, rather like the Dustin Hoffman character in Midnight Cowboy of several years later. "Gardelito" thinks of himself as a great but undiscovered singer who has to resort to certain shady dealings to get by while he waits for his big break. The overall mood is ominous & dark, a criticism of the social status picture of Buenos Aires in those days. You see his ultimate fate in the first scene and that sets the tone for what follows. It's well acted, with a musical score that borders on the avant-garde. A tense and brooding pic, definitely watchable.