Thursday, March 17, 2011
FAMILY TIES
Today's film was Victor Nuñez'
This is a prodigal son movie. Kuno Becker, a professional poet, comes home, New Mexico to be with his dying father, Rubén Blades.
This is Blade's film although everyone in it does a terrific job. Intense.
I used to listen to Blade's records and really enjoyed them. He is an actor as well and, in this, he is fiercely tender in the love he has for his sons.
There is a brother who is tight assed and conventional and there is an evil influence in the town, a club owner who the prodigal used to work for. Our poet is in the middle with his dad.
Part of the problem here is the club life which entices the son who had escaped that life when he left home.
There is great tension in this film. It is difficult to watch. There is violence, drug use and alcoholism. It is the underbelly of the Southwest small town life.
I could not watch some of the using scenes. It was just too difficult. Somehow with the father stuff it all cut too close to the bone for me.
Yet, I am very glad that I saw it. Blades is unforgettable. The reconciliations of the story are very emotional and cleansing.
Nuñez also directed Ulee's Bees with Peter Fonda and found sides to Fonda that we had never seen before. I could see the same effort made here. To bring out the insides of very intelligent and sensitive actors.
I would not mind seeing it again and would probably still FF past the few tough drug/alcohol parts but it would be well worth it. I will give it a 4 out of Netflix5.
This is a NYTimes Critic's Pick
Labels: films
