In Her Place

As chilean I felt so proud of this movie. The story is factual and accurate (except for the main character, that is). The author and the book are one of our dear readings, so I felt moved, and prompt to learn more about the background. Little did I know about Maria Carolina Geel and her own deeds at the time, and how Gabriela Mistral gave her a hand to set her free. Same as in the film, I don't believe that any woman close to the culture can feel uninvited somehow, and being dragged to experience a bit of the same sorority . The movie is pleasure to watch, well written and narrated; calm and introspective. Some criticism can be harsh, but quite real and again, accurate. At some point, there was a fight inside of me with the main character, but I couldn't help being absorbed by a recurrent call for compassion that leaves so much space for self expression. Many arguments were constructed subtlety, yet that wasn't the true intention. Not even the main trigger was relevant. The movie moves on a different layer, far from the mainstream. If you are looking for an experience rather than mere entertainment, this might be your option.

This is a different type of movie which all may not like since the plot is far too simple for comfort and the narrative moves languidly with nothing exciting happening. However the cinematography is superb and so is the acting of leading lady Elisa Zulueta as Mercedes. The plot. The setting is Chile in 1955. A well to do lady writer has a disagreement with her lover in the dining room of a prominent hotel. Then in a fit of rage and in front of around dozen other guests and a few hotel staff members she shoots him dead at point blank range. So starts an investigation through questioning of witnesses. The lady secretary to the judge is a calm and quiet person who is busy typing out the questions asked of the witnesses and their answers . She lives with her husband and two sons in a small and modest flat which is cramped and claustrophobic. When she gets a chance to visit to visit the well furnished and stylish home of the accused she gets overwhelmed with the facilities available. For a few days she lives in a peaceful dream world away from her flat.

Director Maite Alberdi's aim is to show how Mercedes gets an opportunity to live a rich lady's life. Her happiness is shown beautifully as she bathes in the bathtub, puts on the costly dresses, wears the makeup, has tea in fine crockery and soaks in the ambience. The use of close ups and super close ups is very effectively done. Despite focusing on mundane activities the visually attractive scenes are a delight to watch. The movie belongs to Elisa Zulueta who emotes well and brings out her feelings so well specially in the closeups. (How the flat of the accused is kept open for use and not locked up as per normal norms needs explanation).

I watched this movie on Netflix, expecting a conventional crime drama. I was surprised to discover a sensitive, complex and accurate film. The characters, based on a real case, are designed in a subtle, but powerful way, by the actors and the director. The film is not satisfied with just bringing the story to the viewer, but also manages to formulate an interesting statement on the feminist issue, referring to Chile in the 1950s. The main actress, in the role of Mercedes, plays a complex and multi-layered character, and she does it very successfully, in my opinion, on the one hand, she plays a restrained and introverted role, but at the same time she manages to express the drama that takes place inside her in an impressive way and is highly recommended.

I think this is my favorite Netflix watch this month. I thoroughly enjoyed this film. The pace perfectly matches the main character's personality. While watching it, I believe I found the peace the main character, Mercedes, seeks. The film is subtly profound.

The void and regret she feels are incredibly relatable qualities and I found myself totally immersed in the story and in her personal journey. I enjoyed the timepieces including the furniture and the fashion of the time so beautifully displayed. I look forward to reading more about the real people behind the headlines and will search for more Chilean films.

Watched this dubbed version and am now convinced I need to watch it in the original Spanish, which I imagine (I hope!) provides the texture, the sensuality, the richness that is sorely lacking in the English dubbing. Production values are uncommonly high which give the film its consistently stunning appeal. I won't comment on the acting because it was so compromised by the dubbing...why isn't the voice actors' work of a higher caliber, one befitting the story and the production?

An integral storyline is buried until near the end: The writer Geel's criminal act is a 'copycat' of one committed by the more famous Chilean author María Luisa Bombal. The film's title-and indeed, entire narrative-takes on greater resonance when that fact is underscored, which it's not in this film, except for a fleeting reference toward the film's end. The titular phrase, "in her place," makes more sense when that factual, fascinating detail is revealed-too late, unfortunately. Why did Geel follow in Bombal's footsteps, criminally speaking? Was she trying to accrue to herself some of the more famous writer's biographical reality (and allure)--just as Mercedes temporarily takes on aspects of Geel's glamorous, glittery life? There is so much exceptionally rich terrain that was left uncovered by the filmmaker here!