Peneflix MOVIE REVIEWS BY PENEFLIX
Recently, an erudite mentor posed a question to his twenty-year-old mentees (of mixed backgrounds), “what makes America great?” Watching this fine film about the sacking of Chile’s dictator, Augusto Pinochet in 1988; an election he felt compelled to initiate; I was pivotally reminded of our free election process; negative campaigning by all parties is simultaneously shunned and accepted; no one fears the tattooing of one’s lawn or the harming of one’s family; we are free to praise or ban at will; one of the myriad of refreshing aspects of living and thriving in a democracy.
“No” is historical fiction at its pinnacle; blending archival footage with fictional ad- man “Rene Saavedra” ( a subtly superb performance by Gael Garcia Bernal); cavalierly skateboarding to work; he is the inventive visionary of the “No” campaign, struggling to rout the adversarial Pinochet’s “Yes” crusade; both sides are given equal prime television exposure, the glibness of the advertising genre and its power to hypnotize, enchant the masses is the key to the stunning success of the film; the quirky “jingles”, flamboyant dance sequences, interspersed with the widows, fathers, mothers, children of those gone missing in Pinochet’s poisonous reign add genius and legitimacy to “No”.
As the election day approaches, tensions surface, riots occur and director Pablo Larraine allows the narrative to develop as realistically as possible; both sides creatively compete; the results, not totally unexpected, but blatant, thundering sensationalism is not dumped upon the viewer. As Rene walks, holding his son “Simon” his eyes reflecting the lightness of his soul; marvelous manifestation of man’s radiant capabilities and a future that promises greatness.
FOUR STARS!!!!
For Now……….Peneflix
It’s on our list of movies to see. The Renaissance in Highland Park is closed for renovation so we will have to find another theater. Possibly Evanston or the city.
Landmark, Clark and Diversey!
Excellent review! I have been looking forward to seeing NO, finally it came to Chicago! Knew you would see it immediately and review it promptly, Peneflix!
You can avoid the subtitles! My multi-lingual friend! P.
Just saw it, and, thought it deserved your 4 stars. Gael Garcia Bernal does an excellent job, he even has a Chilean accent ( it is very different from his native Spanish accent), and speaks well and very naturally.
It certainly was Academy Award material! Sorry it did not get the best Foreign film award!
ONLY YOU WOULD CATCH THE ACCENT; “AMOUR” WAS THE FAVORITE, ESPECIALLY SINCE IT WAS NOMINATED IN BOTH BEST AND FOREIGN FILM CATEGORIES! p.
Great review! I am looking forward to watching the movie. I hope I can find it in Austin, Texas.
P.S. I just started to follow your blog and I love it! I always get great movie ideas. By the way, Bob is my mentor and he introduced me to your blog.
YES, LIZETT, I KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT YOU AND I SEND MY HEARTFELT CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW POSITION AND LIFE! REMEMBERS “MOVIES” MORE THAN ANYTHING ALLEVIATE STRESS! XO p.