Karry Best movie of this year hands down!

MoPoshy Absolutely brilliant

ThedevilChoose When a movie has you begging for it to end not even half way through it's pure crap. We've all seen this movie and this characters millions of times, nothing new in it. Don't waste your time.

BelSports This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

Paulina Palero I haven't seen a movie that seemed so honest and real in a long time. I believe that the actions taken by the characters are natural for them, the children take the decisions and act as children would act in real life. There are many movies now days where the actions of the characters don't seem to fit the character they are unnatural and sometimes even betray the character themselves, but not in Machuca, every action has a reason to be. This could have been a really bad movie if it had been done just a little bit different. There are not amazing shoots there are not long monologues that seem unnatural and every character is constant throughout the movie. The movie takes place at the end of the presidency of Salvador Allende and at the end of the democracy of Chile.Gonzalo and Pedro, the main character of the movie, become friends almost immediately, even though the they are from different social classes, Gonzalo's family supporting the right side and Pedro's family supporting the left side, the kids still become friends by fighting their bullies. This shows how children don't really care about the material stuff or how much money someone has, as long as they can have a fun with someone they will become friends. Gonzalo and Pedro might have very different lives but they understand each other and are intrigued with each other lives. Gonzalo is welcomed in Pedro's family. Gonzalo has his first reality shook when he goes to Pedro's house and sees how the other side of Chile lives. Gonzalo's reaction to Pedro's life is natural. He doesn't feel completely comfortable because he is used to way nicer things but he is not scared either, he is mature enough to understand that Pedro's family is not like his and he accepts it and doesn't let this difference come between his friendship with Pedro. He even decides to help them sell Chilean flags during protests. Whit this simple action Gonzalo gets a better understanding of the situation in Chile, even better than his mom who is shown supporting the right side and even being mean to Gonzalo's crush, Silvana. It is the adult who start to drive Gonzalo and Pedro apart. The families of Gonzalo and Pedro's school do not like the people of lower resources to go to the same school as they "privileged" children. Finally, the cruelty of the revolution drives them apart in a horrible way, Gonzalo tries to help his friend but he is in danger by doing so and ends up running away. We can see the regret of Gonzalo for ruing away but there is nothing he could have done but we know that he will be the change Chile will need in the future. The movie does a great job at showing both sides of the Chile revolution and at making it all seem real. The camera movements, the different shots, the actions of the characters with a reason behind them all help the movie be as realistic as possible and to be able to show both sided of the revolution. I truly enjoyed this movie and the story it tells. It is a movie that helps understand better the situation Chile went through.

trhee4 Machuca is a powerful story of the not too far off history of Chile through the eyes of a young boy. Set in the early 70s during the revolution that resulted in Salvado Allende being overthrown by the nationalist coup. The film exposes the large difference in class and political preference. Gonzalo is in a middle class family whose mother is very much for the nationalist keeping the order, allowing her to continue to live in luxury. Gonzalo becomes friends with Pedro Machuca, which crosses both political and social boundaries. Pedro is from a poor family who is in favor of the socialist movement, which gives them a chance for a better life. The two opposing sides ended up in a violent conflict. In the film it expands to the military moving in on the slums where Pedro's family lives.In an interview with Director Andrés Wood it is becomes clear what a bold film this actually is. In Chile it is illegal to portray the military in a negative light. As a result, Wood points to this as a reason why it took so long for a film like this to be made. Another element which makes this film valuable, is its relevance in helping people understand what is going on in the present. Historically, and during the film, it is declared that President Allende committed suicide. However, just recently Allende's family successfully petitioned to have the former President's body exhumed in order to determine the cause of death. During the film it is clear that the Nationalist Party of the past was made up of the wealthy and the middle class. They were not portrayed as decent people, but as snobs, adulterous, thieving, narrow minded, and a selfish group of people. Gonzalo's mother is an example of this, but she justified her behavior because she was desperate to hold onto what was secure. It is probable that most members of the upper-class rationalized the events of their time in the same way. They would cling to what was secure and dispose of whatever they deemed as a threat. This film reveals strong political ideals, as well as portraying a coming-of-age story. Gonzalo and Pedro were forced by circumstance to be on opposing sides socially/politically and to grow up without warning and without a choice.

guajolotl Machuca is a recipient of the Unidad Popular program of President Allende. Allende had nationalized industry and agriculture, and embarked on a massive literacy program for Chile. We are made aware of problems, however, Gonzalo's sister's boyfriend is scary, and later we see him in a fascist demonstration. There is no meat, no vegetables, no milk in the stores. Chileans will recognize the hand of the CIA in collusion with the Chilean oligarchy, and the counterfeit money that was introduced into the country by the US to create inflation and scarcity and bring down the regime. The coup happens, and the army takes over the schools. The priest who was the principal and the liberal teachers disappear, reminiscent of "Au revoir les enfants." It is useful to compare these events with those 30 years later in Venezuela. Hugo Chávez was 17 when Allende took power, and was very much involved in following the Unidad Popular and their program. He lived through the coups in Chile and Argentina, and learned a thing or two. Many on the left criticized Allende for not calling out the army, a mistake Chávez was not to repeat. Although he had no need to declare war against the coup, Chávez had worked for 30 years with his men as lieutenant colonel, and gained the undying devotion of soldiers and population alike. When the CIA-engineered coup happened there, Venezuelans were ready, and the coup failed. One could say that without Allende there would be no Chávez.

hck-13 I knew nothing about this movie when I won a couple of tickets to see it in a local Film Festival.I'm a 20 year-old Mexican and I didn't know what happened in Chile those years. Although you see the political and social conflict through the eyes of a boy, the narrative is far from naïve. The conflicts that Gonzalo (Matías Quer) lives are real for a high class boy trying to grow up in a country that's changing fast everything he knew. Is because of the friendship he makes with Pedro Machuca (Ariel Mateluna), a child who lives in an impoverished community, that he gets in touch with other side of the story. The acting of Manuela Martelli is as always wonderful. She is one of the best young talents in Chile. "Machuca" is a very touching well-written story. I think everyone has to know what happened then. After the movie I went home and started to look after the information and facts that are showed in the film. This movie opened my eyes into another reality.It's an unforgettable film. By far one of the best I've ever seen.