Set in Buenos Aires, the Latin American film “”Nine Queens”” is an accurate depiction of how corrupt society is in modern-day Argentina. The plot centers on the escapades of two low-level con men as they become involved in a lucrative scheme to sell nine rare, expensive, but forged German stamps.
The story thickens when their supposedly perfect and simple plan begins to unravel to the point where everyone is a thief in some respect. Concerns about who to trust escalate above worries about whether the counterfeit stamps will be sold successfully.
Directed by Fabian Bielinsky, “”Nine Queens”” is quite deserving of the awards given to it by the Argentinean Film Critics Association. Most noticeable of the awards include best actor, best director, best editing, best supporting actress and best picture.
These awards are indeed very appropriate because the fast-moving pace and twisting plot cannot be understood and appreciated without the skillful direction of Bielinsky and intricate post-production editing, all of which contribute to heighten the intensity of particular conversations or chase scenes.
Other than skillful direction and continuous editing, the acting is also very realistic because each character’s performance enhances the powerful claim that the film makes of the morality of Argentinean citizens. Such directing, acting and precise editing is a clear representation of how fraud is so embedded in the fabric of Argentinean society.
This is not to say that the film is all drama and action and no comedy. There is a pleasant combination of clever wit mixed with some irony, romance and a few instances of traditional slapstick humor. The ending itself is so loaded with irony that after being drawn into the hectic ploy of the film’s main characters, audiences continue to think about and analyze the plot of the movie even when it is over.
Although “”Nine Queens”” is set in Buenos Aires and is mainly a reflection of Argentinean society, its message speaks across borders and it realistically shows the power and commonality of deception among people. It is a wonderfully scripted film that will keep audiences guessing until the very last scene.
Nine Queens
****
Starring Ricardo Darin, Gaston Pauls and Pochi Ducasse
In theaters April 12
Rated R
