Crappy film

Fanciful, disturbing, and wildly original, it announces the arrival of a fresh, bold voice in American cinema.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

The movie runs out of plot and jokes well before the end of a two-hour running time, long for a light comedy.

I first was interested in this film after seeing "El secreto de sus ojos" (which I loved) because it had the same director and leading characters and told a seemingly similar tale of a difficult love story and the protagonists' struggle with internal conflict surrounding his own ambition and inhibitions and his struggle with an overbearing government that often leads him to find himself crippled in his work. I didn't find this movie quite as intriguingly complicated and intricate as "El secreto de sus ojos," but still found the movie compelling and impressive. Jorge is a struggling writer in Argentina who falls quickly for the young and beautiful waitress, Laura. The pattern of an on-and-off-again relationship begins with a smitten Jorge and unavailable Laura. The climax of their relationship occurs when Laura and Jorge are finally together and Laura attempts to spark Jorge's ambition and pushes him to write with more significant substance with a meaningful and powerful book. It is really sad how Laura repeatedly becomes the victim of male inadequacies and weaknesses causing her hurt and heartbreak--one of many controversial and compelling themes that Campanella plays with in this film. I would definitely recommend the movie, and am very interested in his following movies "El hijo de la novia" and "Luna de Avellaneda"

I'm not sure I liked this film by the talented, and versatile Argentine film director, Juan Jose Campanella, as much as his other pictures and television work. On the one hand, this is a love story between Laura and Jorge, seen through about twenty years of history of the country. They meet, they fall in love, they break up when Laura finds out about Jorge's betrayal. Then years go by and they are reunited for what appears to be for keeps. It is a love story that takes the viewer through different periods of recent Argentine history that sometimes has nothing to do with what the lovers are experiencing at any one of those turbulent times.For a moment, we thought this was going to be another account of the "dirty war", but lo and behold, it is basically not so. The story takes place at the headquarters of a magazine, with a format much like the New Yorker. Jorge contributes short stories that blend well within the content of the publication. It is a left of center periodical with a political slant, something that probably was not appreciated by the military regime, in power at the beginning of the story. Basically it is the tale about two young people, that loving each other so much, it's inconceivable how their romance fizzles. Jorge, a struggling writer, has a lot to say, but unfortunately, he is not given the opportunity to do so. Laura eventually finds her own voice and goes on her own after the traumatic breakup.Juan Jose Campanella is a director that works well with his leading man, Ricardo Darin, one of the best actors from that country working in films today. Director and actor clearly understand what is demanded from each other and the film is a tribute to their collaboration. The screen play owes a lot to both Mr. Campanella and Fernando Castets. The cinematographer, Daniel Shulman, has worked with the director before. His take of Buenos Aires is a city that comes alive after dark. The soundtrack by Emilio Kauderer is pleasant and blends well with the action.Laura Villamil, who plays Laura, is a gorgeous creature. She projects intelligence and wit. Under the director's guidance she gives a good performance. Same could be said about Ricardo Darin, a welcome addition to any film. This actor makes us think his Jorge Pellegrini is real. Eduardo Blanco has worked for Mr. Campanella before. His Roberto is kind of a goofy guy with the heart in the right place. The late Ulises Dumont gives a marvelous reading to his tragic Marquez. Others in the cast are Rodrigo Dela Serna, Alicia Zanca and Alfonso DeGracia, among the supporting roles.

Don't miss this film This is the second film by Argentinian-born living in USA for more than 20 years, Juan José Campanella, that I watched. The first was "El Hijo De la Novia" (Oscar-nominated). I liked this one better. Argentinian movie critic Guillermo Ravaschivo (from "cineismo.com") didn't like it at all in spite of his reckoning of the film's good values...but I suspect he is too bitter a person to like this film (or many others, for that matter). This is a wonderful film. The political issues (as well as the rest) are just a backyard scenery for the close-up given to this particular LOVE of Jorge Pellegrini to Laura throughout more than 20 years, having met intimately but briefly twice after the first passionate and longer lasting time. I do agree the idea of people rebelling with strong verbal innuendos to their bosses would not yield the results herein depicted (i.e. the employee either remains employed or the employee is a "friend" of his boss and after his quitting still remain friend and in the job). But everyone, EVERY ACTOR in this movie is about perfect, and so is the idea and script. Juan Jose Campanella did absorb some Hollywoodish (especially TV-dian) mannerisms which show. But then, it is NOT a Hollywood film. Jorge Darin's performance alone is worth the whole films. Admittedely, both scripters wrote the script only with him in mind, all the time.

A new star is born. Campanella offers in El mismo amor la misma lluvia an artwork full of sensitivity and love. Most american directors should learn from Campanella the characters he makes, real and tender and the script. Nothing to see with the big american productions, Campanella gives a lesson of how to make a love story interesting and absolutely unartificial. Very good!!! (8 out of 10).