In Her Place

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.

Bad acting, bad direction, bad script, bad music... best to skip it. Maite is a great documentary filmmaker. All of his work reflects this. However, my intuition told me that this fiction film would not be good and, unfortunately, the film proved me right. Maite is a great documentary filmmaker. All of his work reflects this. However, my intuition told me that this fictional film would not be good and, unfortunately, the film proved me right. It's a potpourri for no reason. To the production I ask why did they choose such a bad casting? I'm really impressed that an Oscar-nominated director and crew would do such a lowly job.

Granted the good idea behind it and the nod to Maria Luisa Bombal.

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).

A very beautiful movie about the burdens and exhaustions of women, the woman searching for herself and finding it in peace and privacy.

When a woman finds a place for herself to elevate herself and live her own time, it becomes a refuge, as she said, "I am tired of the noise. I want some peace." Stories always present some kind of female role that focuses on motherhood or maturity. You have not found a film like this about the desire for peace and tranquility and the restoration of the soul. I loved it and wanted it very much.

A very wonderful and very calm movie that touched me deeply and I believe that the story has roots or is an adaptation of a previous story.

A wonderful, wonderful, very nice movie.

We've got plenty of feminist work in cinema but this story of intruding takes an honest look at the past. It reminds us how social immobility and income inequality is as old as gender disparity. While we celebrate what was allowed to us the question remains as to what happened to the other two battle fronts. While confinement become a home away for one, The other gets pushed into squatting and ideologically they cross paths to shed one layer of shackles. Flawless acting by the cast. Great cinematography and music. El Luga De La Otra is a radical movie that reminds both women and men of unfinished business.