It would be easy for a viewer looking for action to dismiss "Las vidas posibles". On the other hand, anyone looking for a drama in which most everything is either ambiguous, or even mind boggling, will be pleased to find this Argentine rarity which came to us via cable. Not knowing anything about the movie, or its director, we decided to take a chance, something that proved a good choice.
Basically, this is a story about Carla, a woman whose husband, Luciano, a geologist, leaves one day and disappears without trace in the Patagonia while on his way to work. Carla, who gets worried, decides to follow her man in search of clues about the causes of his absence. As she arrives near the area where he is supposed to be, she is stopped on the road because of a police roadblock up ahead. This scene proves to be a key to what is going to happen to Ana.
Upon arriving at the hotel where Luciano always stays, she is told he had never shown up. Carla decides to stay in the room he would otherwise occupy. One day, while driving, she spots a man, with an uncanny resemblance to her "lost" husband. Carla follows him until she discovers he is a real estate agent. This taciturn man, Luis Miconi, is involved with a beautiful woman, although one never gets to know details about them. It comes as no surprise that Carla and the stranger become involved in a relation that leads to nowhere, although it is not only because Luis reminds her of the missing man. Carla perhaps is looking for closure as she deals with the hard reality that Luciano will never come back. In the end, Luis seems to be abandoning everything.
Sandra Gugliotta, who co-wrote and directed this film, obviously was seduced by the mystery created by the disappearance of Luciano and Carla's stubbornness thinking he might not have encountered foul play, or that he was involved in an accident. What Ms. Gugliotta has created is a film that is a puzzle caused by the crisis that Carla experiences and the reality she doesn't seem to accept.
Ana Celentano is the best excuse for watching this film. She stays with the viewer long after the film is finished. Ms. Celentano is perfectly believable in her role. German Palacios is also good in his double role of Luciano/Luis. Natalia Oreiro makes a valid contribution in a pivotal part. The haunting musical score by Sebastian Escofett serves the narrative well. Lucio Bonelli, the cinematographer, doesn't distract us by giving us magnificent views of the area where the film was shot. We shall look forward to the next Sandra Gugliotta's work.
Basically, this is a story about Carla, a woman whose husband, Luciano, a geologist, leaves one day and disappears without trace in the Patagonia while on his way to work. Carla, who gets worried, decides to follow her man in search of clues about the causes of his absence. As she arrives near the area where he is supposed to be, she is stopped on the road because of a police roadblock up ahead. This scene proves to be a key to what is going to happen to Ana.
Upon arriving at the hotel where Luciano always stays, she is told he had never shown up. Carla decides to stay in the room he would otherwise occupy. One day, while driving, she spots a man, with an uncanny resemblance to her "lost" husband. Carla follows him until she discovers he is a real estate agent. This taciturn man, Luis Miconi, is involved with a beautiful woman, although one never gets to know details about them. It comes as no surprise that Carla and the stranger become involved in a relation that leads to nowhere, although it is not only because Luis reminds her of the missing man. Carla perhaps is looking for closure as she deals with the hard reality that Luciano will never come back. In the end, Luis seems to be abandoning everything.
Sandra Gugliotta, who co-wrote and directed this film, obviously was seduced by the mystery created by the disappearance of Luciano and Carla's stubbornness thinking he might not have encountered foul play, or that he was involved in an accident. What Ms. Gugliotta has created is a film that is a puzzle caused by the crisis that Carla experiences and the reality she doesn't seem to accept.
Ana Celentano is the best excuse for watching this film. She stays with the viewer long after the film is finished. Ms. Celentano is perfectly believable in her role. German Palacios is also good in his double role of Luciano/Luis. Natalia Oreiro makes a valid contribution in a pivotal part. The haunting musical score by Sebastian Escofett serves the narrative well. Lucio Bonelli, the cinematographer, doesn't distract us by giving us magnificent views of the area where the film was shot. We shall look forward to the next Sandra Gugliotta's work.