*** This review may contain spoilers ***
*Plot and ending analyzed*
The tunnel
El tunel (1988)
This is an exceptionally rare film that brings to light Argentine novelist Ernesto Sabato's El Túnel (1948). That novella deals with a painter who killed his lover.
Peter Weller is Juan Pablo Castel and he plays him rather well. At first he seems reasonable enough but soon develops an intense torment because his lover is nonchalant, laconic and placid. Jane Seymour is his object of affection Maria Iribarne, who is also fine. Her role is to be serenely free of disturbance from Juan Pablo Castel's (Peter Weller) nagging interrogations and that is the catalyst for his indignation. She shows a bit of her body, but it is not done tastelessly. Her subdued natural persona, although quiet, is willingly effective. Fernando Rey as Allende is barely even glimpsed at. He plays the blind husband of Maria Iribarne (Jane Seymour).
The direction and dialogue is what will hold the film together, since this is a psychological thriller, and although it is nothing outstanding or notable, I did enjoy the film. The film, to me, reminds me of 1980's neo-noir films with just a touch of erotica. Argentine novelist himself, Ernesto Sabato, is credited with the working of the dialogue.
For the most part, it is a standard and effective film that details the tortured soul of an insanely jealous man, who can not come to grips that his new lover may have other affairs or lovers.
I particularly liked a scene where Juan Pablo Castel (Peter Weller) wants to retract a letter in a post office, it is both hilarious and absurd because the post office worker does not want to return it because of "rules". He explodes, setting the scene for his ultimate downfall.
It is barely above average, and seems to be filmed in Buenos Aires Argentina.
The audio is horrible and I could barely hear the spoken English.
But it is of particular interest to those who like existential or psychological thrillers.
*Plot and ending analyzed*
The tunnel
El tunel (1988)
This is an exceptionally rare film that brings to light Argentine novelist Ernesto Sabato's El Túnel (1948). That novella deals with a painter who killed his lover.
Peter Weller is Juan Pablo Castel and he plays him rather well. At first he seems reasonable enough but soon develops an intense torment because his lover is nonchalant, laconic and placid. Jane Seymour is his object of affection Maria Iribarne, who is also fine. Her role is to be serenely free of disturbance from Juan Pablo Castel's (Peter Weller) nagging interrogations and that is the catalyst for his indignation. She shows a bit of her body, but it is not done tastelessly. Her subdued natural persona, although quiet, is willingly effective. Fernando Rey as Allende is barely even glimpsed at. He plays the blind husband of Maria Iribarne (Jane Seymour).
The direction and dialogue is what will hold the film together, since this is a psychological thriller, and although it is nothing outstanding or notable, I did enjoy the film. The film, to me, reminds me of 1980's neo-noir films with just a touch of erotica. Argentine novelist himself, Ernesto Sabato, is credited with the working of the dialogue.
For the most part, it is a standard and effective film that details the tortured soul of an insanely jealous man, who can not come to grips that his new lover may have other affairs or lovers.
I particularly liked a scene where Juan Pablo Castel (Peter Weller) wants to retract a letter in a post office, it is both hilarious and absurd because the post office worker does not want to return it because of "rules". He explodes, setting the scene for his ultimate downfall.
It is barely above average, and seems to be filmed in Buenos Aires Argentina.
The audio is horrible and I could barely hear the spoken English.
But it is of particular interest to those who like existential or psychological thrillers.