Although the first scene doesn't appear to be a promising start (it's a bit grainy, out of focus and a little muddy), the rest of the film looks terrific, with a very sharp image and vibrant colors. The film's score sounds good and features surround notes and decent bass, while the various ambient (street, wind, etc.) and standard sound effects (explosions, gunshots, etc.) decently add to and/or enhance the viewing experience.
EXTRAS:
Scene selection/Jump to any scene.
Running audio commentary by director John Malkovich and star Javier Bardem.
Sundance Channel's 24 Frame News - Journeys with John Malkovich (4+ minute segment about Malkovich and his film).
Revealing the Dancer Upstairs (21+ minute featurette about the film and its production).
Theatrical trailer for this film and "In America."
COMMENTS:
Agustin Rejas (JAVIER BARDEM) is a former lawyer turned police detective in an unnamed Latin American country. Married to the superficial Sylvina (ALEXANDRA LENCASTRE) and proud parent of a young daughter, Rejas has been assigned by his superior, Merino (OLIVER COTTON), to track down a revolutionary militant leader by the name of Ezequiel (ABEL FOLK).
Known as the fourth flame of communism, the mysterious figure has all sorts of followers who have no problem killing or being killed in the name of overthrowing the government. With Merino concerned that martial law may soon be imposed if the killings and bombings are now thwarted, he pressures Rejas and his fellow detectives, Sucre (JUAN DIEGO BOTTO) and Llosa (ELVIRA MINGUEZ), to put an end to the terrorist activities before things get even worse.
At the same time, and tired of his wife's superficial ways and life, Rejas finds himself drawn to the alluring Yolanda (LAURA MORANTE), his daughter's dance instructor. As he and his team try to find the elusive Ezequiel, he must deal with his conflicting feelings toward Yolanda.
Actor John Malkovich makes his directorial debut with this effort that's modeled after real life events, yet is set in an unnamed Latin American country. Technically proficient and featuring a terrific visual look, but a bit lacking in story despite the potential and multi-layered plot, the film clearly benefits from the terrific screen presence of Bardem (who's sort of a Latino George Clooney).
Yet, its twist at the end isn't remotely shocking or surprising, the plot ultimately isn't as complex as it initially seems, and the overall effort is more than a bit challenged when it comes to tempo. It's not horrible, it's simply just stagnant and occasionally boring.
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