One of the most absorbing and convincing films I have seen this summer. Drawn from Eduardo Sacheri’s novel La Pregunta de Sus Ojos (The Question in Their Eyes), this Argentine film had me (and the boyf) rigid in a cinema seat for its entire 129 minute length. Told in flashback the story follows Benjamín Espósito, a retired legal counsellor as he struggles to start his first novel, the subject of which was inspired by a shockingly memorable case his department investigated. Liliana Colotto is the young victim of the case was brutally raped and murdered in her apartment in Buenos Aires. Upon divulging the tragedy to her equally young husband, Espósito vows he will retrieve those accountable. And he certainly keeps to his word.
Without giving too much away, one of my favourite scenes follows the counsellor and his faithful yet alcoholic partner Pablo Sandoval as they stand at a ridiculously crowded football stadium at the edge of the city, as they follow a lead that the main suspect of the crime could be at the game. It is then revealed that this is the latest match of numerous that the investigatory team has attended over a period of months, yet on this occasion (call it 34th time lucky or so) Espósito successfully identifies who they are looking for within the throngs of cheering fans. A captivating moment both in its cinematographic skill and exhilarating plot.
Acting alongside the ruggedly handsome Ricardo Darín (Espósito) is Soledad Villamil, who plays Irene Menéndez Hastings, Espósito’s boss, who with her wit, intelligence and gorgeously elegant Argentine looks provides an agreeable if slightly obvious candidate for Espósito’s aching heart. I warmed to her further after she had called Espósito a dummy however, as he may be sharp with his investigation, yet hopeless on the relationship front. But altogether, a sensational and somehow beautiful thriller, a big yes from Wild Goose Chase Begins!
The film I was pleased to discover afterwards has won the Oscar for the Best Foreign Film amongst other extremely prestigious titles. No argument there.
Stadium Scene
Apologies but I couldn't find a video with subtitles but I hope you can still feel the suspense of the scene!
