Schimbare

In Schimbare, a Spanish couple find themselves in a safe house in Romania with a extreme moral dilemma. After having sustained the unsettling grip and suspense the film, executes it in a expected as well as uninteresting fashion. Another problem is the way the filmmaker chooses to withhold so many pieces of the puzzle that you fail to understand the meaning behind the emotions of the leads. Both Candela Pena(Elvira) and Luis Zahera(Luis) give gripping performances with Pena expressing unfiltered emotions making you feel for her. A special mention to that poor, innocent, smart 8-year old girl with one kidney holding her own throughout the film. The film is daring, with débutante director Alex Sampayo choosing to keep it downbeat along with unsensational treatment of complex human problems, there is a apt feeling of claustrophobia created with performances, cinematography and dialogue to signify the feeling of the couple. The cinematography especially with long continuous takes, shaky handling was like a bully for the characters with director not wanting to let the grip slip. But in the end, the film pays the price for all the built up intensity resulting in a potential to be great film, rather than a great one.