Nueces para el amor

A bittersweet kind of romantic soap opera loosely tied to three decades of Argentine history, not quite certain of its center -- that pretty well sums it up in terms of plot. Redeeming characteristics are generally superb cinematography, sense of place, costumes and makeup, and an occasionally remarkable score.

While Marcelo and Alicia seem destined at the beginning to live together for the rest of their lives, circumstances soon drive them apart. That's where the history bit comes in, accurate but not entirely germane to their personal story. Scenes are episodic and forced, sometimes intruded upon by inexplicable narration. It would be a more powerful film if the "missing" Horacio were seen for a while to lend credence to the Alicia-Horacio versus Marcelo-Claudia nexus.

The force of destiny is always a classic theme in stories such as this, resulting in agonizingly slow development toward the inevitable will he/she or won't he/she realize his/her/their ultimate desires. Either way, somebody is bound to get hurt, and this is no exception. The ending is, as others have said, not entirely satisfactory.

The Argentine film industry is vibrant and innovative in many instances, but this is at best a so-so example.