The classic “The late Matías Pascal” becomes, through Martín Baintrub’s version, a dark, strong and well-armed film, with Joaquín Furriel, Griselda Siciliani and Gabriel Goity.
Matías Pascal had it easier. He was returning to his house with some money, when he discovered that, due to an accident, he had been left for dead and buried, so he took the opportunity to enjoy another life. Goodbye debts, obligations, unbearable mother-in-law. Two and a half years later he became homesick and returned, only to discover that his wife, a supposed widow, had also taken the opportunity to enjoy another life, had married a money-losing idiot and had a daughter. The man then conformed to her new destiny, he didn’t have such a bad time, and when someone asked him who he was, he responded somewhere between offended and amused. “Like who am I? “I am the late Matías Pascal!”
Luigi Pirandello imagined this story 120 years ago, half philosophical and half tragicomic, of which various versions have been made, among them a delicious and melancholic one of Mario Monicelli with the big one Marcello Mastroianni. Closer in time and distance, Martin Baintrub He imagined something similar, but rather bitter, dramatic, and, if you will, with a socio-political background: “Rest in peace”. It’s the ’90s. A figuretti who spends more than he earns and owes each saint a candle finds himself cornered by a moneylender who lacks manners. An accident gives him the opportunity to escape, leaving his wife and his children clean of debt and with the money from life insurance. But he also leaves them fatherless and husbandless. The rest is imaginable, but the good thing about the novel is that it has enough turns to always leave the author a few steps ahead of the readerand almost always along paths that are not so expected. There are surprises, and there is a painting that allows you to reflect a little on the national being, or the unhappy Argentine, depending on how you see it..
Sebastian Borensztein took this to the movies, and The result can now be seen on Netflix. The adaptation, co-written with Osorio Vidalhas its due and accurate variations, and the staging shows off a precise, detailed setting, intense performances by Joaquin Furriel, Griselda Siciliani and Gabriel Goitymusic of Federico Jusid. In production, the Darin, father and son. In short, a work very careful, a little dark, perhaps a few minutes longer than appropriate, but strong, entertaining, well put together. Also with some debatable points, depending on which ’90s veteran is watching it.
“Rest in peace” (Argentina, 2024); Dir.: Sebastian Borensztein; Int.: Joaquín Furriel, Griselda Siciliani, Gabriel Goity.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
