An Unexpected Love

This film which questions the validity of lifelong love between couples heading into their golden years was an unexpected surprise. Ricardo Darin (Marco) and Mercedes Moran (Ana) play empty nesters whose son has left for university in another city. Suddenly faced with the fact that they now have only each other to spend the rest of their lives with they begin to question whether the love they have shared over 25 years will be enough to sustain them. Everything they have strived for together has already been achieved. They have a lovely apartment, good jobs, a son they both adore and a great group of friends to grow old with and they still love each other. So what’s missing? It is Ana who poses the important question to her husband, “are you still in love?” The surprising answer is, “no.” So begins the next phase as they find themselves suddenly negotiating the world of singledom in the modern age.

Described as a comedy of ‘Conscious Uncoupling’ and superbly directed by Juan Vera, the film also features a wonderful script by Daniel Cuparo. In all, the film is a sensitive, soul searching look at truth. Set in a colourful, vibrant city of Argentina it is a reflection on the difficulties of keeping up the pace and trying to remain an essential cog in the wheel of the ever-changing 21st century. What happens when people beyond a certain age try their luck on Tinder? The results can be at once comedic and terrifying. Ana’s 82-year-old mother has managed to find herself a new man though. One that can still dance too. Now if that doesn’t make your heart sing and inspire you to stay in the game then I don’t know what will? The chemistry between the two leads is pure magic with great performances too from a magical cast. To boot the whole film is just… you guessed it… magic!

★★★★★