Esta película es cine argentino

The truth is that I liked that some characters, especially in their appearance, have been changed, such as Archimedes Puccio, average about 1.82 mm and in the film it is a little lower, the performances are very good although Franco Masini's did not seem good. even so it is one of the best Argentine films 10/10

Excelente película que se tiene que ver Almería 3 veces

In this life, we can pretty much choose to do whatever we want to do as far as it relates to an occupation. If you can think of it, chances are, you can probably find someone to pay you to do it. Even highly illegal shit, like being paid to kill someone. Like I said, if you can think of it, you're gonna be able to find someone to pay you for that. First thing I wanted to be when I was a kid was to be a veterinarian. My life didn't pan out that way. And then I moved on to wanting to perform show tunes, but that didn't pan out either. The latter is a lie...or is it? Regardless, that's not what brings us here today, what brings us here today is the fascinating true story of the Puccio clan, who kidnapped the relatives of wealthy people for ransom. When said ransom was paid, the patriarch of the clan and his two associates, who may have been made up in order to justify the film's narrative of Alejandro's hesitancy to go along with his dad's schemes, then proceeded to murder the hostage. Given that the majority of the crimes took place during military dictatorship and, Arquimedes being a former member of the military, the government actually protected the Puccio clan from facing any repercussions for their actions. The clan pretended to be members of the National Liberation Front of Argentina as a way of, I'm assuming, justify their fight against the NLF to an uneducated public. I found that to be the most interesting aspect of the entire film, honestly, and one that I felt they don't really delve that much into. Like how deeply do the military's ties run within the Puccios and what they've been doing. You gotta understand that, also, the Puccios were not the only group doing these types of acts while being protected by the military. And, honestly, I find that story to be a little more interesting than the one we got. That's not to say that I didn't like what we got, because I thought this was a very good movie. I just mean that they probably could have told a much all-encompassing story about the corruption within the dictatorship and how far they'd go to justify their own agenda. As it stands, however, the movie looks more at Arquimedes' relationship with his son, Alex, and how he struggles to continue in the family business after he learns the real nature of what his father does. It's not just kidnapping people for ransom money and then returning them safely. That's really fucking bad, but it's not terrible. Yes, they're using extortion to get a lot of cash, but at least they're still releasing the person alive. It's another thing entirely to take the ransom money and you still kill the person, that takes a special kind of cold-blooded person. And Arquimedes is certainly very cold-blooded. The first thing you notice about Arquimedes, as a character, are his striking and piercing blue eyes. Eyes that clearly denote a darker nature within him. And I give a lot of credit to Guillermo Francella, who's excellent in this movie, for doing a great job at making a man that might not be tall in stature incredibly intimidating. The reason why is he intimidating is because, again, his eyes feel like he's staring a hole through you and simply because that everything he says and does is always done very calmly and stoically. That makes the man seem more cold-blooded than if he was a screaming, raving lunatic. To Arquimedes, what he does is not wrong. He doesn't see the wrong in it, he's just doing what he has done to provide a good life for his family. There's also a lot of hypocrisy in the guy, as there always is in cases like this, where he can do what he want to others' children (or mother, in the last case), but nobody else can do that to his, at least those who are actively participant in the proceedings. His daughters are really not even passive participants since they, somehow, didn't even know what was going on IN THEIR OWN HOUSE. That's neither here nor there. But, again, the movie is more about the relationship between Arquimedes and Alex and, honestly, it's a bit of a mixed bag. I'd say that it's good, for sure, but I just wish the movie showed Alex being a little more resistant to his father and maybe expressing his thoughts more than just leaving it for the third act of the movie, when the jig is finally up. There even comes a point where Alex lures his brother back, who left to go to New Zealand, to take his place in the business, while he gets out. And, for a little while, Alex and Arquimedes really have nothing to do with one another. That makes the film's insistence on this narrative a little more difficult. Again, the movie shines when it's more about the clan's exploits and less about the interpersonal relationships. Juan Pedro Lanzani, who plays Alex, does a more than good job here, but his character is never as interesting as his father and you notice that instantly in their scenes together. Alex is just trying to leave this life behind and start a family with his girlfriend, later fiance. Typical stuff, it's not new and it's not exciting. Naturally, however, Arquimedes reacts selfishly to this, as he does whenever anything does not go his way, and he goes out of his way to make Alex feel responsible when one of their...operations doesn't go as planned. Perhaps the idea behind Alex not speaking up more is that he's intimidated of his own father and there's probably some truth to that. I still don't think it's as interesting of a story as exploring the dynamics of the Puccios being protected by the dictatorship for their actions. There's even a really interesting twist in the story in that, while all of this is going on, Argentina votes for their first democratically elected president in 10 years. This brings an interesting little twist in that business, however slightly, now has to change for the Puccio clan, as they now don't count with the dictatorship's protection. Now they're fair game for capture. And, again, this is such an interesting twist in the story that they don't really explore. It's a little frustrating, because I would have loved to have known how Arquimedes felt about all of this. what went through his mind, what changed about the way he conducted his operation. So many interesting questions to ask that are left unexplored and it's just disappointing. But, again, don't let that make you think that I disliked this movie, I still very much liked it, which is why I'm giving it 3.5 stars, but I still feel that there were some unexplored ideas that would have led to some really interesting results. As far as the climax is concerned, I felt it was great, since it really does get the job done at making it all crumble all around the Puccio clan. It's quite satisfying seeing this family's atrocities being put to a stop and there's one genuinely surprising moment just before the movie ends that I was not expecting. I suppose if you lived through that, then you know or if you're familiar with the case. I wasn't aware of any of this, so that helped. Don't really know what else I can say, this was a really fascinating movie to watch. Just getting to know this family and their story was, honestly, quite enthralling. The performances are all excellent and the script is strong. There are some issue, which I won't go over again, but I'd still highly recommend this movie. Can't really go wrong with this.

Hard to watch. Strong tale of evil and power. And a soundtrack countering the darkness. Making it even darker.

Cuenta una historia oscura. El inicio es confuso pero el desarrollo de la misma es genial.

~September 10, 2017~

Not to get mixed up with another South American film "El Club" also from 2015. The Puccio family is basicly a normal family. Some kids, family dinners on the daily basis and hanging out together. Still, they do some unorthodox stuff as they kidnap people and ask they're families for ransom money. If they don't get the cash, they kill the prisoner. They keep them in the house and while Arquímedes, the father and main guy, does the big things some family members just can't stand all the screaming from the basement. Others from his family are involved too. The manipulative father usually get's his ways and seem untouched by his actions. OK film, with great performances, but there is not too much depth or character development here. It get's a bit repitative and is never a real thrill. The film itself feels a little underdeveloped to be honest. Based on true events and that's the most interesting stuff here, along with the great ending. 6 out of 10 wetsuits.

The true story of the Puccio family of Buenos Aires, Argentina. During the height of the Galtieri regime of the early-to-mid 1980s the Puccio family, lead by senior government official Arquimedes Puccio, kidnapped and held for ransom several individuals. On more than one occasion they murdered their victims. This is their story. Decent, though not compelling, docudrama. Details well the events involved and these make for interesting following. However, not overly compelling viewing. Is pretty much a blow-by-blow account and feels quite dry at times. Not a must-see, but not a total waste of time either.

Although the only likely outlets are art houses in the English speaking world this is really quite a conventional film about extraordinary events. It tells its story conventionally through the eyes of someone who is not the main protagonist. Only at the end do we find out why. I can understand why for Argentinians it is compulsive viewing and it is of interest to other people who like me are unfamiliar with the events portrayed. Negative aspects: some people might find the realistic portrayal of anguish upsetting; the choice of music throughout bears no relationship with what is happening on screen and the lead is completely unconvincing as a top rugby player. It would take about two him to make a real forward.

Brutal depiction of the impact dictatorships have on society at a micro level.

This is extremely stylish and very Scorsesesque. Based on a true story that shocked Argentina. Guillermo Francella is chilling as the manipulative father. He is a right cunt with cold empty eyes that would turn Medusa to stone. Great soundtrack.

A family with the dark secret. It's right to say based on the real than a biopic, because it is not the film about the family who we inspire from their act. This is a crime-thriller-drama sets in the early 80s, Argentina, when democracy was restored in the nation. Focused on to tell a story of a middle class family called Puccios. It's a big family, but what they did were inhumane thing. Kidnapping people for ransom money, but in the end, there's no smooth trade off. How long they go for it and how it all ends comes in the latter parts. It was the Argentina's entry to the last year's Oscars. That's really a worst decision ever. Also it the highest grossed film in the domestic circuit. No doubt the film was well made, especially the director who also managed well with the screenplay. This film can be watched to know the truth and nothing else, because of the negative message it carries. Nearly 100 minutes long, full of dark atmosphere, but among it there was a little romance. The actors did good, despite they were in the negative roles. There are plenty of films with the dark tone, which are very enjoyable despite the film characters involved in the wrongful acts. Sometimes we root for them, it might be a robbery or a revenge theme. But there comes a time when I hesitate to encourage such films, mainly because of its serious portrayal. Makes me to think only sick people would enjoy such films. It happened recently for a Chilean film 'The Club' that I felt disgust. I appreciate the filmmaking, but I feel this better should have been a documentary film. Anyway, that's my view. It was one side narration, covered everything from the family angle. But if it was told how the cops or the victim families coped would have made totally a different film. Then I might have liked it. So overall this film was okay, I'm not in its favor though. 6/10

Excellent thriller based on a true story! Recommended!

Very poor. Terrible storytelling with very little drama beyond gross amorality and risible use of music. The Kinks? Really? As for the so called chilling central performance it was a laughable cliche in un-blinking screen acting. What a plonker! Save time and money: avoid this over-hyped piece of junk.

I saw this film on a flight; it was engrossing. One of those movies you wish you could watch again for the first time. The acting was superb.

Qué película tan mala.

A Gripping crime saga fueled by first rate casting...its premise is much similar to a Kannada movie "dandupalya" but its less creepy comparatively..the 80s political theme s also a big highlight of this movie and the cinematographer nails it incredibly

Director copies all the tricks of American gangster films

Cinema argentino, só pra variar, humilhando o cinema nacional.