Sunday, November 5, 2017

Extra Terrestres (2016, Carla Cavina)

A film from Puerto Rico is a rare view in this part of the world. The critics seemed to be positive, so why not give it a chance? Extra-Terrestrials seems to be told with the conventions of telenovela in mind. There is a plot with a bundle of subplots, but not all are developed properly. There are also rough editings and fast clippings which a viewer of soap operas might like, but which went on my nerves after some time.
So what's this about? Teresa works as astrophysicist. She is about to marry Daniela and now she wants to break the family tradition of secrets and lies, but she finds herself very fast trapped in the old family conventions. But it is tough to find the kairos for truth, as there are plenty of problems at home. Her father's poultry farm has serious problems, as some gringo laws jeopardize the future existence of the farm. What is going on exactly remained unclear to me. It was like having missed some episodes and stepping into the middle of something. - Teresa's nephew shares Teresa's love for science. The boy is portrayed with solidarity, only at the end he is, however, converted to a ridiculous figure in a plot development that did not support the plot in any way. (As far as I can it remains a family secret who is the father of the boy.)
There is also Teresa's sister, Andrea, who is to marry somebody who is interested in banking, but may go into government. She is, however, having an affair with a handsome mechanic.There is also someone called Junior, an olderd brother (probably) an completely undeveloped figure.
So there is plot enough, but in my opinion too little focus on what I consider the main plot.
At odd moments Cavina throws in some stunning 3D-animations of planets, time lapses and eagle views. These could serve to give structure to the film, but thet are just there - in my view for no particular purpose.
So, though there is some good material the film suffers from a hopelessly messed-up script. Pity.
6/10

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