It's hard to know if this movie is a tribute or just a copy of Woody Allen's obsessions: a scriptwriter in his 40's, neurotic and sarcastic, meets a young beautiful crazy girl who makes him feel young again (remember Manhattan?). Soon, he has his own TV show, which is a success because everybody loves his wit -but then he looses his old girlfriend, a snobbish middle-aged woman who makes him feel awkward. That turns into a blessing, because life with the young girl is nicer, no matter that his mother, a latin American version of the classic yidishe mame, becomes more popular than him thanks to the TV show. Funny, but not funny enough, the movie has some great dialogues. But it's not well solved at the end, and some parts are just too conventional. A good time, some good laughs, but nothing else.
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raquelita_bella2 August 2004
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Ricardo Darin, one of the best actors that emerged from Argentina in the last decade, deserved much better than this comedy, that will not add anything to his resume, or career.
The basic problem lays on the weak screen play that director Eduardo Milewicz and his co-writer, Carmen Lopez-Areal, concocted as a vehicle for Mr. Darin. We are asked to believe this burned-out television writer, and aspiring novelist, is worthy of a full length feature.
As a comedy, the film is not as funny as it might have seemed in the written page. Ricardo Darin tries to give Samy something the poor loser is lacking of, but doesn't succeed. The ebullient Angie Cepeda is seen as Mary, the woman who makes a popular hero out of Samy. The writers asks us to believe that this neurotic man, a product of the local television, doesn't see how he has been manipulated by Mary in believing he became popular on his own merits.
While the film is by no means, a failure, the promise of a funny movie is not to be found in it. Better luck next time Mr. Darin. -
alexparedesvera26 August 2003This movie is very funny because Ricardo Darin and Angie Cepeda are great couple. The movie has very good parts but the end needed more work at least it is my opinion anyway I think this movie is in general a good one. I think that many people will want more movies with Angie and Ricardo together because they did a good work.
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pincha31 July 2002first of all, if you like Ricardo Darin's performances as much as I do, you'll enjoy his character in this film. Samy is basically a neurotic, pathetic, frustrated writer who is almost in his forties and did nothing with his life. No wife, no children, his relationship with his mother and sister is not very good, and had a father who raised him to be the person he's... "nothing if free, trust nobody, etc" that's more or less what Samy's father tells him at the beginning of the film, so it's not surprising to see the person he's became some years later. But Samy's life starts to change when mary enters into his life and... well, I'll let you see the movie, I don't like spoilers... but the thing is that the movie is too slow in some parts, emotionless as well, but however it has some very well performances, Rita Cortese is very credible and funny as we're used to. too much promotion for this film, but as the years go passing by, less argentine films are being released, so it's understandable this time... I think it's a good opportunity to give this movie a chance, at least it's much better than "apasionados", the other "winter hit"...
6 out of 10. -
drdancm-222 September 2010This excellent movie has not received the credit that it justly deserves. Sammy is a hilarious Woody Allen Character, but this is not a Woody Allen movie. The writing is brilliant and absolutely hilarious. Ricardo Darin's (Sammy) and Angela Cepeda (Mary) both play their parts superbly. Darin's voice, gestures and mannerisms brilliantly portray Sammy who has inherited his pessimism from his late father who within the first 2 minutes of the film lays the foundation for Sammy's adult character, the poster boy of Low Self Esteem. If you have seen Ricardo Darin in other films you will see a totally different person, which is always the sign of a talented actor. Angela Cepeda is perfect as the bubbly, optimistic, breathtakingly lovely young woman who recognizes Sammy's talent and leads him, fighting tooth and nail, to unexpected success with his very own television show. She is not only beautiful but also very smart, honest and fair minded. Unlike most of the other characters, such as Sammy's family or his so called "girl friend Esther, Mary appreciates his talent and comes to truly care for him. All of the supporting actors are excellent, along with the musical score.
In keeping with the acting , the writing and directing is excellent. I've watched this movie many times and find it even more funny and brilliant each time I see it.
You have to watch the very end and pay attention so that you don't miss the fact that this love story will have a happy ending. Don't miss this movie, it's first rate!