aharmas
I guess I should be grateful that we have the opportunity to gamble once in a while and not just at "best of" lists to catch a great film. If that was the case, I'd be subjected to the best campaign or best overrated generic masterpiece of lately. Truly, I cherish independent cinema distributors because they allow the opportunity to catch a gem like "7 Boxes" to stimulate our senses and restore the belief that there is actually magic in the movies.The very dynamic and creative story never fails to capture or interests, grabbing from the very beginning as it establishes the mood, introduces the main characters, the exotic setting, and lights the fuse that will lead through a breathtaking and explosive ride and quite a fantastic ending.Here is a world full of poverty, audacity, competition, and the desire to survive, regardless of the mean. People appear to be hungry because they're not afraid to gamble their very existence for a few dollars. We see the basic activity at the core of the film, an exchange of services. Be there and make a few bucks so you can buy a sandwich, a hot dog, or a very coveted cell phone. Victor, a young man is one of those people who offer to carry your "merchandise" with their makeshift wheelbarrows. By pure look he appears to get a chance make a delivery that will bag him a $100 dollars, a fortune in his world. Everyone, including him, understand there must be some shady in the nature of the merchandise. One just doesn't ask questions because it usually leads more complicated and dangerous situations.As we expected, many people set their eyes on the "merchandise" and through a plot line that appears a bit complicated and a bit contrived at first, we get going, and this is where the film explodes with an originality sorely missing from American movies. This had origins on some very exciting planning, and every detail appears to be fleshed out, leaving nothing unattended. In the end, no matter how impossible the turn might seem, it makes complete sense.The seven boxes soon find their way in and out of the boy's hands, and the "butchers" who asked for their delivery soon find themselves in a more dangerous situation because of a misunderstood conversation that invites other parties to become involved in the twisted search for the boxes. Soon, we have some shady characters, transvestites, some clueless policemen, a very interesting Korean Romeo, abused girlfriends, some feral street children, and well, the mysterious content of the boxes.Everything about the film shines with originality, and it throws sparks at every turn. The editing and imaginative camera work shows us that there is still hope for those who have an eye to blend clever writing with dynamic camera-work, not relying too much on technique or special effects, or the overuse of colorful language. What is fresh here is how a simple metaphor referring to merchandise, or a certain food can take some shadings. At times, we fear its mention, and at others we can't stop laughing at the reference.I found that setting the film in the slums, and in the middle of this market teaming with all kinds of transactions, dealing with food, items, or even human trade never appears to overtake the solid acting by all the performers. Unlike films that trying to much with their verbosity and reliance on a naked body, a flash of a cleavage, or a loud soundtrack that if any, detracts us from the action, "7 Boxes" looks inside the characters by showing us what they yearn, giving us real relationships and showing the warts in the characters. The young people have grown a thick skin because they live in their own version of hell, and we see the inside of kitchens, the division of classes as a young couple can't make payment for the medication that might save a child's life, and how normal a robbery appears where it's shown for what it really is, without calling too much attention to itself, telling us watch how fantastic my direction and my writing is. We never forget it is a movie, but it is so well directed and acted that it never loses that authentic touch.Most important, we arrive to the conclusion with a full realization that every deed has a consequence, and that evil is contagious and affects even those who might appear to be innocent. We learn that information is valuable, and that no encounter is to be considered meaningless. A look is really worth a thousand words, and necessity is truly the mother of invention and creativity, both in the movie and the way a movie is made. It appears that working with limited resources and not having the most recognizable faces in the world might actually produce better results.A few years ago a little film called "Slumdog Millionaire" gave us hope the silver screen muse was alive and kicking. As of late, it appears the muse lives mostly in foreign films. Hopefully, it will be make a return to American films so we can enjoy a true golden era again. Bleaching the color out of a film, padding the conversations with unnecessary convolution doesn't make the movies better, and Shakespeare himself wrote for the masses, and I am sure he knew how the four letter words of his time, but somehow, we fail to find them in his plays, making it obvious that they are not essential to the success of the piece. I'd rather have a pinch of salt than dumping a whole bucket and spoil the effect.
Red-Barracuda
A teenager who works as a wheelbarrow delivery boy in a sprawling market in Asunción, Paraguay is given the task of transporting seven mysterious boxes for a big sum of money. He soon discovers the horror of what is in the boxes, while he is pursued by a murderous gang.It's always very refreshing to see movies from countries with little cinematic output. And that's exactly the situation in the case of 7 Boxes which showcases the cinema of Paraguay. It shares the Latin American energy that so many other films from that part of the world have. But it also does feel specifically Paraguayan with convincing and realistic characters and a very authentic setting. It's a crime thriller but it does differentiate itself from many other films of that type where even the chief bad guy is at least a little sympathetic. He does what he does ultimately for his sick son. He ends up going down his path because he cannot afford the medicine. He, like the other characters, is motivated as a result of the socio-economic situation in which he cannot escape. The movie suggests the hardships and poverty of the lives of the characters can result in some harsh choices.The acting from the entire cast is good all round. The two kids at the centre of the story hold things together very well, while there are some memorable characters in the periphery such as the bungling kidnappers. There is a good mix of suspense and comedy, while the direction is stylish when it needs to be, taking time to get to know the characters as well. The film ends with all of the strands of the story coming together in a satisfying finale. And when it ends you can't help hoping there will be more films from Paraguay.
queenjustine
I just saw this yesterday at the Santa Barbara Int'l Film Festival, after hearing about it earlier in the day from a Puerto Rican gentleman I met who said he heard it was good. It's kind of a Paraguayan "Pulp Fiction" with a little "Run Lola Run" thrown in. A teenage boy who works in a giant urban marketplace carting goods for people with a hand-truck gets unwittingly involved in some nefarious business when he agrees to transport seven mysterious boxes for a tempting sum of money. The young lead actor is good, and the rapport between him and his friend Liz rings with true universal teenage-ness. I understand the director has a background in music videos, which explains the snappy, fast-paced cinematography, which works to good effect. Chase scenes, suspense, and sweet moments of tenderness here and there keep the action moving along nicely. There is quite a bit of violence near the end, but none of it too bloody or gruesome. A very fun film!
