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Common Ground

Original title: Lugares comunes
  • 2002
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 48m
IMDb RATING
7.6/10
2.2K
YOUR RATING
Federico Luppi and Mercedes Sampietro in Common Ground (2002)
Drama

In Buenos Aires, a few days before traveling to Spain with his beloved wife Liliana Rovira to visit their son Pedro, the leftist Literature professor Fernando Robles is compulsory retired in... Read allIn Buenos Aires, a few days before traveling to Spain with his beloved wife Liliana Rovira to visit their son Pedro, the leftist Literature professor Fernando Robles is compulsory retired in the University, and he concludes that it is impossible to live with his pension. The cris... Read allIn Buenos Aires, a few days before traveling to Spain with his beloved wife Liliana Rovira to visit their son Pedro, the leftist Literature professor Fernando Robles is compulsory retired in the University, and he concludes that it is impossible to live with his pension. The crisis in Argentina does not allow Fernando to get a new job, and his wife decides to sell her... Read all

  • Director
    • Adolfo Aristarain
  • Writers
    • Adolfo Aristarain
    • Lorenzo F. Aristarain
    • Kathy Saavedra
  • Stars
    • Federico Luppi
    • Mercedes Sampietro
    • Arturo Puig
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.6/10
    2.2K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Adolfo Aristarain
    • Writers
      • Adolfo Aristarain
      • Lorenzo F. Aristarain
      • Kathy Saavedra
    • Stars
      • Federico Luppi
      • Mercedes Sampietro
      • Arturo Puig
    • 14User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 13 wins & 13 nominations total

    Photos5

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    Top cast18

    Edit
    Federico Luppi
    Federico Luppi
    • Fernando Robles
    Mercedes Sampietro
    Mercedes Sampietro
    • Liliana Rovira
    Arturo Puig
    Arturo Puig
    • Carlos Solla
    Carlos Santamaría
    • Pedro Robles
    Valentina Bassi
    Valentina Bassi
    • Natacha
    Claudio Rissi
    Claudio Rissi
    • Demedio
    Osvaldo Santoro
    José Luis Alfonzo
    Yael Barnatán
    • Fabiana
    Graciela Tenenbaum
    María Fiorentino
    María Fiorentino
    • Tutti Tudela
    Pepe Soriano
    Pepe Soriano
    Florencia Merlo
    • Esposa de Demedio
    Patricia Pan
    • Hija de Demedio
    Micaela González
    • Hija de Demedio
    Lucas Ligorría
    • Hijo de Demedio
    Javier Ortiz
    • Hijo de Carlos
    Guillermo Ayuso
    • Hijo de Carlos
    • Director
      • Adolfo Aristarain
    • Writers
      • Adolfo Aristarain
      • Lorenzo F. Aristarain
      • Kathy Saavedra
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews14

    7.62.1K
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    Featured reviews

    8gradyharp

    Aging: The Hardships and the Rewards

    LUGARES COMUNES (Common Ground) is yet another sensitive Argentinean film that has the courage to deal with the bumpy political life of Argentina as well as the equally rocky road to aging. Based on the novel by Lorenzo F. Aristarain and directed by Adolfo Aristarain this is a film of sunlight and shadows - and those clouds that promise to unveil the sun despite passing darkness.

    Fernando Robles (Federico Luppi) is a writer and university professor in Buenos Aires who is informed before his planned trip to Madrid to visit his son Pedro (Carlos Santamaría) and daughter-in-law Natacha (Valentina Bassi) that he is being placed in early retirement: the crumbling government of Argentina cannot support such things as education! After an exquisite farewell of sage advice to his students on what is important in the role of a teacher, he goes home to his loving wife of many years Liliana (Mercedes Sampietro) to prepare for their journey to Madrid. At the airport Liliana senses sadness in Fernando and he confesses that he has been 'fired', that they have little money to live on in Buenos Aires: he covers his sadness by buying Liliana perfumes she loves. This couple is bonded so beautifully it makes us weep.

    In Madrid the couple is forced to stay with the son and daughter but the closeness of this familial proximity is intolerable when Fernando informs his son of his financial situation. Pedro is cold and harsh and is in life for money and refuses to assist his parents. The couple leaves, returning to Argentina where they under advice from lawyer Carlos (Arturo Puig) sell their home and move to the country where they plan to grow grapes - a return to the purity of the land. But fate intervenes and the story ends in a manner that leaves the viewer sad but wiser.

    The cast is sterling and the direction is first rate. This is one of those films that should be required viewing for many reasons, but especially for people who are approaching the time of retirement and the fear that holds. Highly recommended for a large viewing audience. In Spanish with English subtitles. Grady Harp
    9rainking_es

    Let's talk about life...

    I've always thought that Adolfo Aristaráin is not only a cinema director, he's a philosopher,a thinker, a so lucid mind, and overall an idealist. Cinema is not just something to entertain people but a powerful tool to express himself.

    "Lugares Comunes" (Common places) tells the story of an Argentinian middle-aged couple (played wonderfully by the great Federico Luppi and Mercedes Sampietro which decide to move to the country from Buenos Aires. He's just been fired from the school in which he's been teaching' for most than 30 years (because of his left-winged ideas). So, he a his wife cannot afford to live in B. Aires anymore. That's the base for a long, overwhelming reflection about life, honesty, unconditional love, commitment, and all those things that seem to be a little "old-fashioned" nowadays (but they are not).

    This is a movie to think about, you must focus on it, you have to assimilate what you're hearing... Otherwise, you'll be wasting your time. This ain't nonsense and hollow entertainment, this is something else. Let Aristaráin open your eyes... you won't regret.

    *My rate: 8.5/10
    9Yorsh

    The common places where lives go

    How to start again when all the hopes are over? How to keep loving the same woman during all your life? How to change without loosing your ideals? How to get old and feel as the first day of your youth?

    Basic questions, with basic answers that not everybody is willing to hear. Common places where most of us try not to go.

    This film is poetry into a movie. One of the best scripts contents of the Latin American cinema. Aristarain shows one more time to be one of the best ever Argentinean directors.

    Take your time to enjoy it.
    10jotix100

    Common places

    Adolfo Aristrain is one of the best Argentine directors working today. As proved by his previous films, this director goes deep into the souls of the characters he paints for us on the screen canvas. Working on Lorenzo F. Aristrain's novel, in which he is credited with co-writing the screen adaptation together with Kathy Saavedra, the director achieves a tremendously appealing film that will resonate with audiences of all ages.

    The story presents us with a university professor who suddenly loses his job at the beginning of the film. He is seen telling his students to be honest in whatever they decide to do in life. In a way, he is asking, perhaps, to emulate him, since he has given all the students his best and more productive years. Finding himself unemployed, and with no assets to speak of, makes him think about what to do with the new reality.

    In another society, maybe, Professor Robles would have gone looking for another job, but in Argentina, without any other skills to account for himself, he is a casualty. Robles finds it difficult to confess to his wife his new status. Lili, a social worker, loves him and offers to sell her family's apartment, where the couple lives, as a way to get things under control. A visit to their son in Spain doesn't change anything for Fernando.

    When the kind lawyer Carlos hears about a small farm for sale, he offers advice to Fernando that it might be the proper thing to do, as a way to reduce expenses and get out of expensive Buenos Aires into a more modest environment. In this country place, Fernando and Lili find happiness, but unfortunately, it's short lived because fate intervenes.

    In Federico Luppi, director Aristrain has found the perfect actor to play Fernando Robles. Mr. Luppi captures the essence of this troubled soul in ways that amaze us. This actor is any director's dream! Having seen Mr. Luppi on stage, as well as in his many screen appearances, one can say he is an extraordinary actor.

    Mercedes Sampietro, as Lili, compliments Mr. Luppi. Ms. Sampietro is excellent in her role and adds a layer to the texture of the film because obviously, she can relate to this woman. Arturo Puig as Carlos, the lawyer, and Valentina Bassi, as the younger Natacha, are perfect in their roles.

    Ultimately, this is Mr. Aristrain's triumph for getting all these elements to work in such fine fashion. "Common Places" will touch the heart of the viewer.
    10kinolieber

    One of the best

    After seeing Martin (Hache), I was looking forward to seeing another film by this director. I was not disappointed. This film is every bit as good as Martin, and that is saying a lot. What a wonderful, touching, wise, and inspiring film! There are moments of such emotional intensity, I was often overwhelmed. Particularly in the scene where he meets Tutti, the writing and performances are so beautiful I found myself sobbing. And such marvelous, loving humor often accents the serious topics that the film touches on. And unexpected moments that make you smile after you gasp. It is such a shame that these films are not available in the U.S. I would so much like to see this one again and share it with friends.

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    Related interests

    Mahershala Ali and Alex R. Hibbert in Moonlight (2016)
    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Quotes

      Fernando Robles: Don't value your students based on their answers. Answers are not true, they seek a truth that will be only relative.

    • Soundtracks
      Amor de mis amores
      Written by Agustín Lara (as Agustín Lara Aguirre)

      Performed by Agustín Lara

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • September 12, 2002 (Argentina)
    • Countries of origin
      • Spain
      • Argentina
    • Language
      • Spanish
    • Also known as
      • Common Places
    • Filming locations
      • Córdoba, Argentina
    • Production companies
      • Adolfo Aristarain
      • Instituto Nacional de Cine y Artes Audiovisuales (INCAA)
      • Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO)
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $2,108,596
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 48m(108 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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