Argentina, 1985
Santiago Mitre’s Golden Globe-winning courtroom drama is a thrilling piece of cinema, capped by a terrific performance from Ricardo Darín.
Holding court: Ricardo Darín
Santiago Mitre’s remarkable drama recreates the true story of Julio César Strassera (Ricardo Darín), the iconic figure in Argentinian history who, against the odds, decided to prosecute the nine commanders responsible for his country’s merciless military dictatorship. It is a Herculean task for Julio, who, with the help of his associate Luis Moreno Ocampo (Peter Lanzani) and their young legal team, stands up in court and manages to remain strong and unbending despite the daily threats he receives against his life and that of his family…
The veteran actor Darín is brilliant as the heroic lawyer determined to bring justice to the people, especially to the victims of the military junta. He is well supported by Lanzani as his loyal right-hand man and by the young actor Santiago Armas Estevarena as his teenage son Javier. It is a riveting, nail-biting court room drama of the best kind, where some of the dialogue is taken from the court’s archives and often plays like verbatim theatre. It is a truly moving piece of filmmaking told with the lightest of touches, which makes it even more powerful. This is one of the best films of 2022. Essential viewing.
GEORGE SAVVIDES
Cast: Ricardo Darín, Peter Lanzani, Alejandra Flechner, Norman Briski, Claudio Da Passano, Santiago Armas Estevarena, Gina Mastronicola, Alejo García Pintos.
Dir Santiago Mitre, Pro Axel Kuschevatzky, Federico Posternak, Agustina Llambi-Campbell, Ricardo Darín, Santiago Mitre, Santiago Carabante, Chino Darín and Victoria Alonso, Screenplay Santiago Mitre and Mariano Llinás, Ph Javier Juliá, Pro Des Micaela Saiegh, Ed Andrés Pepe Estrada, Music Pedro Osuna, Costumes Mónica Toschi, Sound Santiago Fumagalli.
Amazon Studios/La Unión de los Ríos/Kenya Films/Infinity Hill-Amazon Studios.
140 mins. Argentina/UK/USA. 2022. Rel: 21 October 2022. Available on Amazon Prime. Cert. 15.
