Customer Reviews

WHISKY (2004)(Sub)

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

 

 

A quietly powerful and touching film. Aside from giving North American viewers a rare and fascinating glimpse of a country (Uruguay) that has for so long languished in the shadow of bigger neighbors Argentina and Brazil, Whisky delivers an antidote to the photogenic violence and exoticized romance that in recent decades have tended to dominate both international distribution of Latin American cinema and (perhaps as a consequence) the North's perception of the region. At the same time, this impeccably acted and directed film offers a timely but low-key critique of the effects of the global economy on the kind of marginally poor--but not destitute or violent--people that comprise the majority of Latin America's inhabitants. The film does so without caving in to the demands of the market, which explains its slow pace and also its failure get nominated for an Oscar--a nomination it most certainly deserved.

Juan Pablo Rebella, the director of this movie, committed suicide on July 5th 2006, a couple of months after the big hit in Cannes. It seems to me, this movie was really his opera prima and terminal film at the same time. Extraordinary lethargic piece of art. Honest and simple, the two hardest thing to do in filmmaking. I only wish we could have enjoyed more of his work and talent. Descansa en Paz amigo Rebella.

This droll, deadpan comedy from Uruguay, clearly influenced by directors such as Jarmusch and Kaurismaki, is a real find. Directors Rebella (who killed himself shortly after this film was released) and Stoll, tells the story of two middle aged Jewish brothers. The elder brother has remained in Uruguay, running a decrepit sock factory, and acts taciturn and resentful, feeling life has cheated on him. The younger, more easy going brother, has moved to Brazil, where he has raised a family and runs a succesful textile factory in the Sao Paulo area. When their mother dies, the brother in Brazil returns to Uruguay for the funeral. So that his younger brother will not pity him, his older brethren asks a middle aged, somewhat plump employee to pretend to be his wife when his brother returns (this plot point is not really very believable, but in the cinema you sort of accept it). There is little else plotwise to the movie, as the brothers and the fake wife tour some of the deserted, sunless beaches of Uruguay to kill time and to get acquainted (or reacquainted) with each other as well as to settle past scores. To those that thing South America is everywhere a tropical and exotic place, they might be surprised to see a movie that is somewhat reminiscent of the old Eastern Bloc movies (Uruguay is well to the south of the tropics, its climate is temperate, and is the least typically south american of spanish speaking nations in the continent). In a way, this movie might be also be a metaphor of Uruguay, once a country that was called the Switzerland of South America for its democracy and progressivism, but that in the last few decades has seen a nasty military dictatorship, and some of its infrastructure and social capital run down. Worth seeing and quite moving.

This subtle Uruguayan gem gives new meaning to the term "deadpan comedy", but its nuanced humor, mixed with some very real human drama, makes a refreshing antidote to all the obvious, strained comedies which constantly inundate us. All three lead performances are blisteringly honest: the trio play off each other like seasoned Philharmonic musicians. A poignant, understated slice of life from directors Rebella and Stoll.

First thing to note is that Whisky is NOT a comedy, and if you must categorize, it is a low-key drama. So often, box covers do get mislabeled.

Whisky takes place in Uraguay, where the main characters, a sock factory owner whose business and shop seem to bear the brunt of the economy. Three employees occupy the rundown factory, and one is Marta, a dutiful matronly woman who almost runs the place throught default. She knows and understands her boss, Jacobo; they speak very little to one another, but they perform their duties in a perfunctorily manner. Everyday, they do the same things in the shop and their personal life appears to also be a lonely existence.

Jacobo's more successful brother arrives for the unveiling of their mother's headstone and Jacobo propositions Marta to come to the home for a few days. He doesn't explain why, but Marta understands, and she is to pretend to be his wife. She moves in, makes the necessary changes as she anticipates her role. Jacobo and his brother have a strained relationship also, so Marta also fills in the communication void. Upon arrival they take a vacation to a resort that also shows effects of the economy. Here, Marta becomes a person of interest, she comes out of her shell, if anything, just a little. She reveals herself away from her usual lonely, repetitious existence.

This is an excellent film, a little quirky and poignant. Some viewers will not feel the same; it is minimal at best. Not much happens, it is about two brothers who must connect, but their feeling remains distant. It is all about the mood, the feelings, the atmosphere. Every scene tells us a great deal. There isn't a need to speak; we, the viewer can feel it. The entire storyline is unique!

The DVD includes is a short interview with the directors, but not much is divulged. Also, included is a computer link to a discussion about the film, although I could not get it to operate. Acting and casting are brilliant. The film leaves one with plenty of questions that have not been answered and provides excellent discussion afterwards. Whisky is an award winner at the Cannes Film Festival 2004....Rizzo