A Matter of Principles (2009) User Reviews

Excellent confrontation of principles.

[davidtraversa-1 · 7/10 · 4 November 2010]

Very good movie. The theme is clearly stated with a sensitive conduction towards the core of the issue.

The dialogs are succinct and to the point. The "principle" of the title is very cleverly exposed, creating a dichotomy between the urge to sell an old and very valuable magazine to buy things with the money from the sale --things considered of utmost priority to some of the people involved in the story-- and the reluctance of its owner to sell it because his father is in it, in a picture next to an aristocrat of that time (in reality his father is so far away from the royal character, lost among a sea of people, that only a loving son could point at a ghost of a picture and identify it as his father).

But the core of this very well narrated story is this: Should one let go of an object with a great emotional value for a sum of money?

Very entertaining movie with several twists as the action develops.

The actors, excellent, all of them; the director, with an ease and light touch that gives this picture a sort of french cinema feeling.

Superb.

The photography, the sound and the lighting, impeccable.

The conclusion of this confrontation could very well serve for a debate after a screening of this movie for a discussion about ethical values in a constantly changing world.

Ethic

[jotix100 · 7/10 · 4 March 2012]

Adalberto Casilla, a man of a certain age, is a man of principles. He has worked for a company in Rosario, Argentina, for quite a number of years in a job that probably has become routine for him. There are no challenges in the office anymore. The arrival of Silva, a much younger man, to head the company changes the dynamic of the place. Silva is a typical yuppie who has come back to his native country after having worked in Spain. What Silva does not tell is the reason for coming back was because he wanted to be near his daughter, now living on the custody of his former wife.

Castilla makes a tactical mistake. One day, while delivering a report to Silva, he notices a collection of old magazines which he had read as a young man. Silva is proud of it, but alas, his collection is not complete. He is missing an issue, which Castilla has kept as a memento of his father's appearance next to an Italian nobleman in an article.

Adalberto's home life is dominated by his wife of many years, Sarita. They live with Rolito, an adopted son, in what appears to be a comfortable, but not luxurious apartment. Rolito a rugby player has his eyes set in going to Australia for a competition, but money is tight. Sarita finds in a closet the exact issue that Silva needs to complete his collection. When he tells Silva about the finding, the boss offers money to buy it, but the magazine is dear to Adalberto, who refuses to sell.

"A Matter of Principle" an Argentine film directed and co-written by Rodrigo Grande, poses an interesting question about how far will a person go in order to defend his principles. It is obvious that Silva, the successful man, feels he can buy whatever he wants, or that maybe everything has a price, which does not sit well with a humble man who clearly disagrees with his boss, at the risk of perhaps being fired, or being asked to retire. Firing is not an option Silva would like to pursue since it involves a heavy compensation that will not sit well with the board.

The struggle between Silva and Adalberto takes a mean turn as the rich boss decides to take matters to Sarita, the noble wife whose life has been dedicated to make a good home for Adalberto. In fact, Silva is the serpent that tempted the Eve-like Sarita, who sees an end to the many things she had craved for all the time. Seeing the prospect of giving his wife and son what they want, Adalberto decides to sell the missing issue, but what he finds is a humiliation in front of the colleagues he has worked with most of his life.

The film sends a powerful message in the way the principal argument is set. Federico Luppi is perfect as Adalberto, a man of principle. The actor gets inside the character in one of his best screen appearances. Pablo Echerri is a capable adversary by going against a man he considers inferior in every sense of the word. Norma Aleandro's Sarita takes a step behind the men at the center of the story. The supporting players do a wonderful job for Mr. Grande.

Pablo Schverdfinger captured the office atmosphere and the city of Rosario in vivid colors. The musical score is credited to Ruy Folguera, which works well in the film. This is the first film we have watched by Mr. Grande who shows a talented man at work. We can only wish him well in his next project.