Customer Reviews

The Uninvited Guest (El Habitante Incierto)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

One of my favorite types of film has always been the thriller. Unfortunately, more often then not, the major studio thrillers of late have been pretty unexciting. I think of them as "cookie cutter" thrillers--meaning the plots are somewhat interchangeable, just slap in a marquee name and add a generic title and you're ready to go. It is with great surprise that I recently came across two Spanish films, neither one had I heard of before, but each offering a unique and interesting concept. More aptly described as psychological thrillers, these two films use standard story conventions--but flip those conventions in an unorthodox way to create something that seems entirely new. "Oculto" (The Hidden) and "El Habitante Incierto" (The Uninvited Guest) may not be high profile films--or even perfect films, for that matter--but each took me on a rewarding journey with unexpected and satisfying results.

Antonio Hernandez's "Oculto" starts off innocuously enough. At a conference about dreams and their meanings, a beautiful woman named Natalia (Angie Cepeda) shares a recurring nightmare that she's been having. She wishes the expert to help her make sense of its significance. Natalia is noticed by Alex (Leonardo Sbaraglia), a reporter at the event who is instantly smitten. Also working there is Beatriz (Laia Marull). Beatriz takes a liking to the good looking Alex, but also seems strangely fascinated by Natalia--and specifically her dream. What begins to unfold is a love triangle of sorts, but also an interesting look at the symbology of dreams. As Natalia becomes increasingly distraught over her nightmares and the connections that link them to the real world--the film heads off in a direction that you might not expect. Bringing in components of obsession and revenge, these three characters will square off in surprising ways to an emotionally complex conclusion.

"The Uninvited Guest" may not seem quite as intricate in comparison--however, it is challenging in a completely different way. Beginning with a fantastic setup, we meet Felix (Andoni Gracia) who has recently broken up with his girlfriend and is left alone in an extensive house. One night a stranger appears and asks to use the phone. Felix permits this, lets him have some privacy, but when he returns--the stranger is gone. Has he just left or is he still in the house? Over the next couple of days, Felix becomes convinced the stranger is living there and evading him--his fear and paranoia grow as no one will believe him. But again, just as you think you know where this story is headed--it changes completely. I won't reveal much--I'll just say that the primary premise of the "uninvited guest" is continued, but is now turned on its head. This paranoid thriller now becomes a film about obsession and voyeurism. And while I may have wanted a little more explanation at the conclusion, it was still a ride I enjoyed taking.

Both of these films feature extremely charismatic and attractive performers. The three leads of "Oculto" form a believable triangle--everyone is linked to everyone else in a compelling way. "The Uninvited Guest" rests largely on the shoulders of Gracia, however, and he shows a great range. Even falling apart, you are still rooting for him. The other lead performer of "The Uninvited Guest" is Monica Lopez (in a critically applauded role). Here, she actually plays two characters--it's very Hitchcockian, but to say more would be a disservice to the film.

Check out these films for something different. Neither is without flaws, but at least they attempt something different. And, for the most part, they succeed. Fascinating, exciting, and surprising--both are highly recommended. (However, as of now, "Oculto" isn't on Region 1 DVD.) KGHarris, 02/07.

"The Uninvited Guest" is one of the most tension-filled films I've ever seen. Riveting, well-acted and suspenseful, this film will truly leave you breathless - and maybe scratching your head. If you want to indulge in a movie that will make you cringe strictly from the dram of it all, this is it. Highly recommended.

For some reason while I was viewing this movie, I kept thinking of Hitchcock's *Rear Window*. The plots between the two are nothing similar, it's just the paranoia that runs throughout the movie.

*El Habitante Incierto* revolves around Felix who lives in a house too big for one person. He's down because his girlfriend has left him, yet her things are still stored at his place. They just have a really odd relationship.

One stormy night (how cliche is that!), a stranger knocks on Felix' door to use the telephone. Felix allows him in and leaves him alone for his phone call. When he returns, the stranger is no longer there. Did the stranger leave? Or is he hiding in the house? Felix, upon hearing strange noises, believes that the stranger is hiding in the house.

Felix becomes so paranoid that he just cannot stay inside. In an interesting twist, he becomes the stranger.

Overall, it was a good classic type of suspense that Hitchcock fans would love to watch. There are some parts, towards the end, that were left open. Therefore, questions that I had throughout the movie were left unanswered. Nonetheless, quite enjoyable.

The problem with this movie is it could have been written better. The hyper-expository monologues Claudia dishes out are so unrealistic I laughed. It's a sign of a director in trouble when he has to give lines to a character, for the sake of the audience, that can't be delivered organically by that character. Those plot-getting-in-the-way-of-the-story lines polluted an otherwise poetic, dream like, and metaphorical film. It's a beautiful essay on loneliness.

I would never call this film "Lynchy" ... which is just shorthand for "I don't get it but I liked it anyway ... I think. Didn't I? Did you?" David Lynch's films can be difficult. This film is just a beta release, ya know, like everything from google.

Hence, the sudden remake. El Habitante incierto is a brilliantly conceived film that should have been executed better so the director is taking a mulligan. That's cool. I look forward to it and hope he does a better job explaining Vera's sudden muteness upon being shot in the plot hole we all saw coming like an eighteen wheeler.

OK. She was shot in the mouth and it just took a couple days without food or water for her to get her voice back at film's end. Yeah, that's it.

I give the first half a 9, the second half a 5. Let's call it a 7 and anxiously await the do-over. It's a lovely film to look at and it frustrated me so much I'm going to watch it again and again until version 2 comes along.