jotix100
Certain films, such as Hector Babenco's "El pasado" elicit a strong dislike by misguided users of this forum. Even more surprising, for a movie that had poor distribution and was seen by only a handful of viewers, is the amount of votes users of IMDb have sent. It appears a disgruntled person is pushing the negative response in the six comments, so far, for this picture. It's almost incredible that, in some cases more than 300 bad responses have been submitted for the first review that appears on this page, or that someone will go into such lengths to take such action. Abuse like this happens a lot with certain films when an individual, probably, takes it upon himself to make it appear the movie in question is even worse than what it is. That type of negativity should be watched by the panel in charge of IMDb."El pasado" is based on a lengthy book of more than five hundred pages by Alan Pauls, an Argentine author. The director, and his collaborator, Marta Goes, must have gone through a painful process in order to bring the novel to cinematic terms. That said, the film is a character study of a man that had it all and didn't realize what he had, to begin with, and wastes his life while searching for a balance that will make sense of what fate had in store for him.When we first meet Rimini and Sofia, they appear a normal couple on their way to a party. Little prepares us to realize this pair will announce to an amazed gathering their intention of separating after twelve years of marriage. Rimini and Sofia have known each other since childhood. Their union, which would be solid, as far as one knows, is far from being the perfect marriage. This premise will take both Rimini and Sofia into uncharted territory, in spite of the fact that both former lovers still have a lot in common.Since their split is amicable, Sofia even helps Rimini find an apartment, one would expect to have them see one another at times. Rimini falls in love with the beautiful young model Vera. Rimini appears to be happy, but his addiction to cocaine and the easy life in which he finds himself accompanying Vera, proves to be his own undoing. Vera, in a fit of jealousy, runs away from Rimini and is killed by a bus.Rimini finds comfort with the beautiful Carmen, a translator, who obviously likes him. The life they share is a cozy one. Rimini suddenly begins suffering from a strange case where he loses his ability to translate from one language into another. Carmen, who has a difficult pregnancy, delivers a boy by Caesarean section. Lucio, the infant fulfills their lives until Sofia, who appears suddenly, takes the young boy with her, much to Rimini's surprise. Carmen, who blames him for this demands, and gets, a divorce.What follows is a downward path where Rimini finds himself alone, unable to work and destitute, landing in jail at the height of his despair. Not all is lost for this man because Sofia, who still cares for him will reappear in his life and Rimini will accept his fate, at last.Hector Babenco got excellent work out of his cast. Gabriel Garcia Bernal, one of the most interesting actors working today, makes a good Rimini with even a porteno accent. Analia Couceyro makes an appealing Sofia in a demanding role. Ana Celentano appears as Carmen and Mariana Anghileri is seen as Vera.
Polaris WY
I went to watch the movie last week and I really enjoyed it. It shows how men and women feel a separation after it's done and how difficult it's for them to continue with their lives... Everybody loves, that's cool! The movie let you see how big and obsessive a feeling can get, it talks about trust, love, personal search, the permanence of love in time, growing up, sex and almost brotherhood. The actors were quite good, perhaps the characters were difficult to recreate but I liked the way the did it... I didn't know Ana and when I saw how she felt that character it was great. I think that her face is appropriate for Sofia. I think that the Director is the same who directed Carandiru, isn't him?
zamo-3
I saw this movie with low expectations and was not disappointed. Its so bad that it is actually funny in a very cringe worthy way.Gael is absolutely terrible, I mean he just cannot act, period. He should give up now, as acting is clearly not his thing.. His co-stars are about the same caliber, i'm sure my 5 year old cousin could do a better job than all of them! The director should be ashamed to have put his name on something so ridiculous.. Somehow I don't think an Oscar is on the cards for this guy.I have never written a comment on IMDb, but this movie was so bad I felt compelled to do so.If you get the chance to see this film, don't 0/10 if there was a 0
cinesphere
I just saw this film at the Toronto Film Festival. The director and Gael Garcia Bernal were both there (which was quite a thrill).I don't want to give too much away about the plot, but essentially this film looks at the different ways men and women react to a breakup. It was very interesting, well acted and profound and I enjoyed it thoroughly until about halfway through. Unfortunately, the last part really bothered me and took me from rating it at an 8 or 9 to a 6. As a woman, I did see myself - to a point- in the first part. I also gained a better understanding on why some men react to a relationship's end as they do. Unfortunately, the final half of the film made some deeply disturbing generalizations about women and their emotional stability, and I was left perturbed. It's one thing to give certain attributes to a character; It's another when an entire gender is implicated.Nonetheless, the performances are all marvelous. See it - but prepare to have a conversation about it after wards!
