Uma Espécie de Família

What limits does Malena push to get what she wants most? Malena is a 38-year-old middle-class doctor from Buenos Aires. One afternoon, she receives a call from Doctor Costas, who informs her that she must travel immediately to the north of the country: the baby she was expecting is about to be born. Unexpectedly, Malena decides to embark on an uncertain journey, full of crossroads, facing all kinds of legal and moral obstacles that will make her constantly question how far she is willing to go.

That film that makes you love and hate the characters alternately, a dubious feeling with each new action, divergent reaction, dichotomous analysis... A simple theme developed in an intelligent and very emotional way, beautiful photographs, extraordinary performances, especially by the two female protagonists and mothers, we manage to feel angry and sorry at the same time, for both, while the world is an ambitious and petty agglomeration of scrotum males...

The movie is good and story is simple yet captivating. Another has complained that the movie is hard to follow or "inexplicable" as they put it but honestly I don't know why they had such difficulty with it. Maybe they were watching a different movie or didn't have the subtitles turned on? The story here is very simple and easy to follow even compared to other films. I am North American too like that other viewer and the story was so simple it would be hard not to follow. The only thing I can think of is that that other person maybe was using drugs or had brain damage which could have made it hard for them to understand. But they complain that the woman is called "doctor" throughout the film and wonder why. Obviously it is because she is a doctor! But why is her husband also called doctor? Because he's a doctor too! Sometimes doctors marry other doctors. It's not that hard to understand. Maybe they will be better to watch a simpler Hollywood movie but this one was very good for me. Beautiful little film that also makes you think.

It is a very depressing experience, but it is entertaining and has a dark background.

Ok, honesty...I originally picked this film to help me while studying Spanish in Buenos Aires, but I watch many films. This one is terrific. I thought it was going to bring up "sons of the past" but it completely side tracked historical issues and had a very contemporary plot. It's a sad situation that can go many ways and while there is an excellent resolution, I didn't expect it, nor would I label it a Hollywood ending. It was original and very well done. Compassion for all the characters, even the ones you don't want to like. In the best tradition of Argentine filmmaking! Well done!