First of all, you have to be Argentinian to fully appreciate this film and understand the message. I am Argentinian and consider this film a clear critique of Argentinian society. In the UK, an equivalent would be a yuppie Knightsbridge-type couple living next to a cockney, east-end-type couple. The melancholy and excessive interest in trivial things, the approach and attitude to people considered "less" than oneself ("no es como la gente") and the reaction of the neighbour, who seems coarse and uneducated, but who is, in fact, more humane and kinder than the man we initially consider the "hero". We identify with the "hero" and then realize just how mistaken we are. I got bored in some moments and yes, it's long, but I think it's intentional so that you can feel the shift from one character to the other, the annoyance the "hero" feels and his flawed but very common relationship with his wife. I personally loved this film and will never forget it, but then again, I am Argentinian.

This would have been brilliant as a 20 minute short but as a feature it is entirely too minimalist. It went even longer than most features (1:43:00); talk about beating a dead horse. For a movie with very little to say to go 13 minutes longer than the average feature is simply unpardonable. There were some nice touches to the film but whatever statement he was trying to make seemed hardly worth this much effort. It had a few good laughs but there was a lot more squirming in your seat as you want to fast-forward to the end. I'm having a hard time fulfilling the IMDb guideline of writing at least 10 lines, and I'm rarely short for words. Oh well, the movie served as an educational tool to aid me in understanding Argentine Spanish.

The opening sequence of this Argentine film sets the tone for what will be the central idea behind this black comedy. Set in La Plata, in Buenos Aires province, the action takes place in the famous Casa Curuchet, which was designed by that master of architecture, Le Corbusier, his only work in South America. The house with its modern lines, is more of a museum than a place one can call home.A somewhat prominent furniture designer, Leonardo, is presently living in Casa Curuchet. He has recently won great accolades for his unique design of a chair. He is sleeping when we first see him with his wife Anna. There is a noise that does not let him sleep peacefully. Going to inspect where it is coming from, he watches as a big hole is being made in the property across from his living area which is only separated by an inner courtyard. Leonardo is not too nice to this worker, who is just following orders.One day, Leonardo, gets to meet his neighbor across the courtyard. He is Victor, a bear of a man, who explains to his neighbor all he wants is some sunshine in that part of his house which does not get any light. Leonardo is completely taken aback. In his line of work, he appears to be the one ordering everyone around. How dare this man invade his territory? Victor is an adversary that will keep working to get what he wants, in spite of what Leonardo tries to do to get him to abandon his folly. Leonardo's home life, like the sterile interiors of his home, is not exactly a happy environment. He belongs to a sophisticated class of overachiever that looks down on people that are of different social classes, something that Victor represents. The conflict between the two men will go to ridiculous extremes with an unexpected finale in which Leonardo will show his true colors in a turn of events that shows well what this designer is really like.The film was directed by Gaston Duprat and Mariano Cohn. The film's main theme is prejudice as shown by a selfish Leonardo, who cannot tolerate things to get out of his control. Victor, of a different social status, shows he can deal with things in a different manner, that of the streets, more than of intelligence. It is basically a feature to showcase the talents of the two principals who give all they have to make this one of the most original films from Argentina, in recent memory. The film serves as a social commentary about class and power in the country.Rafael Spregelburg makes a formidable Leonardo. He is the selfish man that wants things his way and in his own terms. What he considers his privilege, is suddenly challenged by his would be neighbor in a conflict Leonardo thinks he shall prevail because of his position and standing. Daniel Araoz matches his co-star in amazing ways. He is a more sympathetic individual with different aesthetics, a simpler man without the hangups of his neighbor. Both actors are terrific.The directors did their own cinematography which highlights the famous home in La Plata in all its functionality and starkness. The music is credited to Sergio Pangaro. The screenplay is by Andres Duprat. This is an inspired work that shows the talent of two men in great form.

Forgive me the flippant title but... The two young Argentine directors behind this movie have served up an interesting, stylish, oddly provocative film using what Argentina is rather good at... a keen interest in all things foreign. The film could well have been a British class-clash movie. It has all the controlled tension and violence of a British movie. BUT... it's more attractive, more quirky, and more cosmopolitan. It seems to tell us that however much mankind tries to adorn the ANIMAL within.... it is ALWAYS there, looming, and ready to pounce. Socialy the film is a slice of 'state.of-the-art' Argentina (a country which is in constant mutation, like a huge anaconda shedding its skin). But a New Yorker or a Londoner, o even a Parisian would undoubtedly feel very well represented by the subject matter and milieu. One protagonist is a '"succesful Modern man", an interior designer, living what looks like a perfect life, but , as the film progresses, reveals itself to be an angst-ridden nightmare. The OTHER is a psychotic freak.... or is he? The way our points of view are manipulated to shift, as the film unravels, is very amusing, and revealing. Are we ALL a bunch of brainwashed bigots? A good question, from Argentina. MUY BIEN, AMIGOS!