Ensofter
Overrated and overhyped
FuzzyTagz
If the ambition is to provide two hours of instantly forgettable, popcorn-munching escapism, it succeeds.
Mabel Munoz
Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?
Walter Sloane
Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.
Dante Burge
Burnt Money is an exceptional film in the crime drama genre and stands quite well as director Marcelo Pineyero provides Hollywood with an example of what subtlety can bring to cinema. This film also does its best as a commentary of the internal division between the people and the corrupt government in Argentina, as showcased by the character Nando, played by Carlos Roffe. A few scenes strike out at me for recounting the director's work and it also must be said that the work of the actors that portrayed Nene, Angel and Cuervo was thoughtful and delivered with subtlety to match that of the director's nuanced vision of the world that the trio inhabits.Two scenes that immediately jump to mind are those that weave both dramatic long takes with clever use of diagetic sound to create a suspenseful dramatic scene. The two scenes are of the moment that Vivi is captured by the police and the 'relaxing' scene at the beach party with the trio. I enjoyed both of these scenes very much due to the director's courage to use a long take to add suspense. The suspense in these scenes however is not the same as the violent and gore soaked films we call 'suspense', but a more chilling and ominous sense of dread is evoked with the stillness of each scene. There is a moment that both scenes erupt with action, and the music within each scene accentuates the moment that the juxtaposition of mood occurs. Basically the manipulation of music within the scene such as the record being torn off the player just as the party erupts show that the director made disciplined use of all the tools in his arsenal to create a fully imagined atmosphere and mood.
moonspinner55
Well-acted, stylish Spanish crime-drama from Ricardo Piglia's book is allegedly based on factual account from 1965 involving estranged gay lovers in Argentina who re-energize their relationship with successful, brutal crime sprees (they call themselves "The Twins"); after one particular robbery ends in gunfire and dead cops, the two go into hiding along with their accomplices in Uruguay. Despite a skittering sort of continuity that keeps a breathless momentum going--at the expense of a well-wrought narrative--the film is highly adept at setting a sweaty, prickly mood. At first, the sexual clinches (which are actually non-sexual, as one partner keeps pushing the other away) are aloof and perhaps a bit self-conscious, but the actors improve along with the film; by the finale, Nene and Ángel really do seem like doomed soul mates, helplessly intertwined. Fascinating on occasion, and handsomely produced, the picture lifts bits and pieces from its American gangster counterparts ("The Godfather", "Scarface", et al.), yet it may be braver than those while digging into the characters' sordid lives. **1/2 from ****
lmaxsb
I like the relation ship between de main characters, is a way to show lovebetween two people, in this case, men Is a hard love story, but very human, very sensitive You can feel pain. the actors are terrific, did they win an award, because they deserved one. I didn't like the voice over at the beginning, we don't need itThe soundtrack is very smart, I loved the moment when The "nene" speaks thevoice over and we can hear Billy Holiday. Good direction good art Thank you!
harry-76
And fiery acting, too--especially the leads. After that, a strangely protracted mid-section, weirdly cut, which often left me dumbfounded.
What was more confusing, on the video print I saw the film's English title appeared on screen about a half hour before the actual end. In fact, I thought the movie was finishing and credits about to roll.No such luck--it went on for what seemed an interminably drawn out finale. No wonder some might think it over the top. Yet, there was a strong visual style and iron-fisted acting from the principals throughout. Did I feel much for them? No, I merely observed their plight, with nary a moist tear formed for their requiem.
Still, I note many appreciated this "male Bonnie and Clyde import," which apparently was based on true events.