“The Scent of Freshly Cut Grass”, by Celina Murga and starring Joaquín Furriel, takes place in a university setting and tells the story of two clandestine loves. A prolix style, which, however, lacks warmth.
“Marriage is a chain so heavy that it takes two to carry it. Sometimes, three.”This is what the teacher said Sacha Guitrywho surely spoke with knowledge of the matter. Over the course of half a century he had five wives, one after the other. The one who took his time best was Yvonne PrintempsThey lived together for fifteen years. The others, between four and eleven. And at the same time, who knows how many thirds and thirds have passed.
But we are talking about theatre people, French to boot. The characters of “The scent of freshly cut grass” They are dull university professors, dissatisfied with their careers, their families, and perhaps even with themselves. A breath of fresh air appears, a person who knows how to cheer them up and keep them company. Soon, however, the gaze of others will clip their wings, and, even worse, their respective spouses will find out.
Here is the detail. The director Celina Murga He arranged two parallel stories that have the same outline, to which very slight variations are applied. A professor at the Faculty of Agriculture (it could have been any other), married, father of two daughters, falls in love with an intelligent student, who is not looking for a grade but only for happiness.
And a married agriculture teacher, mother of two, hooks up with a dedicated and supportive student. How will society and the family react in each case? What was missing in each marriage and in each of its members? And what possible echoes of their own life will this film awaken in those who watch it?
Street band He exposes everything with praiseworthy subtlety, avoiding any facile discourse. He avoids most of the usual clichés in this type of stories. But, precisely In order not to fall into common places, he does not put much heat, anxiety or affliction into his characters.The sensuality of the aroma of grass is missing, so to speak, and perhaps the opportunity to work more on related topics was also lost (university classes are reduced to implausible micro-classes, the relationship with the subject being taught goes unnoticed, in short).
It is up to the viewer to reflect on love, patience – and a little help – that they should bring to their own married life so that it is not as bland as that of these characters. Joaquin Furriel, Romina Peluffo, Veronica Gerez in a triangle, Marina de Távira, Alfonso Tort and Emanuel Parga on the other. Filming at the Universities of Buenos Aires and Montevideo, although they are little appreciated.
“The Scent of Freshly Cut Grass” (Argentina-Uruguay-Mexico, USA, Germany, 2024); Dir.: Celina Murga; Int.: Joaquin Furriel, Marina de Tavira, Alfonso Tort, Romina Peluffo, Emanuel Parga, Veronica Gerez.
Source: Ambito
