The Official Story (1985)

Since I am in fact Argentinian, maybe you can say is not right to take me serious. But, forgetting about the historical facts, this is such a PERFECTLY developed film. I'm gonna go just through ''film facts''. The complexity of the characters are so perfectly well portrayed by really talented actors and actresses (Norma Aleandro and Hector Alterio both go beyond the roles, outstanding performances). They start like a regular middle aged marriage of the epoch pretty much. But they grow up and change alongside the plot and story. The changes while story goes on are not forced and they are actually very well developed. The music, quiet and nice, but with that sense of ''something bad going on beneath'' is perfect. Spoiler part (kind of) --- What surprised me was in fact the complexity of the characters, and the slight changes while you dig into the story inside the story. The characters go from a friends regular talk, then laughs, then hysterical crying, in a matter of seconds! And totally believable! Then at the end of the movie both Alterio and Aleandro going through the breakdown, in just a second you feel so sorry for her and he becomes so hateful. Then he cries listening to his ''daughter'', and you feel also sorry for him! Just in a matter of seconds! And not to forget... the dialog, the script are one better than the other, and the list goes on and on. When he says in the airport ''don't think about it... just don't think'' and you think about the avoiding and the ''censorship'' in this one phrase. Or how about ''how does it feel not knowing where you daughter is?'' Splendid. Script: 10/10 Characters: 10/10 Music: 7/10 Camera and shots: 6/10 (the weakest point of the movie to be honest, but don't you worry, you won't even notice if you don't pay attention that much).Well done. Just... well done.

Alicia is a bit of an oddbod, a History teacher who seems ignorant of her own nation's past. The reasons for this state of denial slowly reveal themselves, centering on her adopted daughter Gaby, and the wider search for truth and justice for the missing victims of Argentina's military juntas. Alicia's husband Roberto is to some degree complicit with the regime, though quite to what degree is not revealed until almost the very last frame of the film.The Official Story has a subtle but complex narrative. We go along thinking Alicia's quest is to find the origins of her adopted daughter. However, her quest is much more fundamental, to do with the nature of her marriage and her husband's character. The answer, when it comes, is unequivocal.The slow-drip feed of the plot and fine performances from Héctor Alterio as Roberto and Norma Aleandro as Alicia make this compelling viewing. Events centre around one particularly ugly period in Argentinian history, but the message of human endurance, and potential for brutality, is timeless. A small masterpiece.

This movie is easily one of my favorite Spanish films. It is a powerful story of an awakening from ignorance and the pursuit the truth, not from one of the disappeared victims of the Dirty War that traumatized Argentina in the 1970's, but of a middle-class history teacher who unknowingly supports it. As the story unfolds, we learn more and more that those closest to her may have the most to hide, and we are made painfully aware that ignorance does not excuse us from our responsibilities to justice and humanity. The drama and mystery are thick, almost tangible, and will keep you enthralled until the last shocking, eerie moment.

Unfortunately, few people outside of Argentina remember the bad old days of the late 1970s and early 80s and Argentina's military junta. During its reign, literally thousands of people just "disappeared"--never to be seen again. Any possible dissent was wiped out through torture, intimidation and murder. It was this climate of repression and ultra-nationalistic rhetoric that the fatal invasion of the Falklands was staged--ultimately leading to the ruin and collapse of the Argentinian government.Now that I've spouted out all that stuff about the historical context for the movie, let's get to the film itself. The story begins with a rich and well-connected family (just how well-connected you find out much later in the story). They are about to celebrate the 5th birthday of their adopted daughter. However, unconfirmed stories about where many of these adopted babies came from begin to fall on the ears of our heroine. Alicia (Norma Aleandro) is horrified to hear that many adopted babies are probably those taken from these political prisoners that vanished while in police custody. When she brings these concerns to her husband, he ignores her and changes the subject--something he did repeatedly throughout the movie. However, she can't live a lie and MUST find out from where they adopted their daughter.The acting is superb throughout the film as is the pacing--as she goes from a strict conformist to ultimately demanding to know more. The progression is NOT abrupt and it makes sense how it evolves thanks to excellent writing. Also, Ms. Aleandro's acting (as well as that of the supporting actors and actresses) is wonderful--so much that you feel yourself feeling what they are trying to portray. As a result, this movie will definitely get the tears flowing. Also, the final confrontation with her husband, though important, is a bit tough to watch (be forewarned).FYI--this movie is rated R because of the intensity of the subject matter and some pretty horrible domestic violence towards the end of the movie. The movie should be okay for most teenagers to view.