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Reviews
Perfidia (2009)
Good direction, story a little unclear
Synopsis (some spoilage): Gonzalo Valenzuela is the reason I watched this film. After seeing him in "En La Cama," I wanted to see more. Perfidy (i.e., betrayal, treachery), unwinds very slowly and it is only in flashback, that part of the reasons for the lead character's actions are revealed. Valenzuela is a hit man--multiple passports, a master of disguise and control freak obsessed with every little detail of his profession--even down to collecting his cut hair and cut fingernails so as not to leave any DNA. At some point in the past, he met and fell in love with the character played by Levi Freeman, but it isn't real clear whether this was a manipulation in order to gain trust or a real, genuine love interest. Gus's visit to Ithaca Falls in the end, has me leaning towards the latter interpretation, which adds a real punch to the whole notion of betrayal. Also, Gus's reaction to the Freeman character after he 'takes care of him,' leads one to believe this was a genuine love. Nonetheless, as the title reveals, this is a story of betrayal--betrayal on the part of all of the principals in the film-- Gus (Valenzuela), his 'lover' (Freeman), his lover's lover (Shrek) and whoever put the hit on her. We don't know who that was. This unseen character enters the picture via telephone and via an envelope slipped under Gus's hotel room door which has pictures (of Shrek--the woman lover of Gus's lover), and money--lots of money. Loved the direction--it is paced quite slowly and the director really brings you into this, this...event. Again, I am a Valenzuela fan and so all the screen time is all his--I'm not complaining. He is a very moody presence on screen and was good in this role. I won't spoil the one surprise in his performance, but it's quite nice--hope you like Dusty Springfield. One thing for sure, Gus did not betray himself and his ultimately creepy, psychotic nature--damaged, of course, by an absent father and domineering mother.