Legendary Mexican filmmakers Arturo RIPSTEIN returns with another collaboration with his wife and screenwriter Paz Alicia GARCIADIEGO, this time a ‘most personal tale’ of an aging couple’s dark and eerie relationship.
Beatriz and her ‘Old Man’ have maintained a mutually miserable marriage for decades. He forces his sexual fantasies on her, to which she unwillingly surrenders. He spits out profanity against her and then seeks consolation with a secret mistress. She flees from his rage and then shamelessly flirts with a tango partner, who is young enough to be her son. They destroy and desire each other until a young housemaid intervenes.
The toxic love/hate relationship is extremely repugnant and pitiful, but voyeuristically captured in black and white and supported with compelling acting. Despite the uncomfortable candidness from its relentless handling of such a sensitive subject, there is a guilty fascination mixed with horror that keeps your attention on the screen. (Karen Park)