Caballos Salvajes (1995)

More about personal than institutional corruption

Corruption exists on many levels. While Argentine cinema is certainly full of films about exposing institutional corruption, what makes Caballos Selvajes so moving is its focus on the personal choices of individuals in contributing to or avoiding corruption. The decision a young banker instinctively makes when confronting a life, death and money situation sets him on a path which irrevocably veers him away from becoming like his corrupt boss at the bank. Likewise that of an ambitious young journalist contrasts him sharply with his calculating and corrupt boss at the network.

Protecting human life, human expression, human freedom, and the truth is a theme which runs through this film. The consequences of making choices based on these priorities are often not easy, and that is reflected in the outcomes for these characters. The wild horses of this film are a metaphor for human freedom, and what must be done to insure their freedom, an example of hard but worthwhile sacrifice. July 19, 2008

"I think we are in big trouble this time"

This is not the only Argentinean production in which you can watch the tandem Alterio-Sbaraglia, and the reason for this is that the formula works perfectly. Just putting these two actors together in a room with an average script will result in a good movie, but when you add Cecilia Dopazo and a great script to the mix, the results are spectacular.

It all starts with Jose (Alterio) walking into a bank and threatening to kill himself unless Pedro (Sbaraglia) gives him the money he is asking for. But this is not a typical bank robbery, because Jose is only asking for the amount of money they stole from him when the bank declared bankruptcy and changed its name. He justs wants $15,344, but in his nervousness Pedro grabs a lot more than that and then leaves the bank with the old man as his "hostage".

And then, a beautiful journey starts, as the anarchist and the yuppie head south, with the police, the mafia and and uncompromising journalist (Fernan Miras) following their trail. A big part of the plot has to do with Pedro's doubts having to do with the contrast between the corrupt system in which he lived until now and the new world this wonderful renegade is showing him. Add to this Ana (Dopazo), a conflicted young woman who will contribute to Pedro's confusion, who will change the lives of our two main characters forever, and you have a hell of a movie.

If you really dislike films with a lot of cursing, you may have an issue with this one. But the amazing story, excellent performances, and cleverly selected music will do it for most people. You will laugh, you will cry, you will be amazed and overall, you will have a wonderful time. August 4, 2007

Great...great...great!

It's hard to find movies like this one in Hollywood. The actors are excellent and the story makes you think about what is really important in life. Excellent cast, excellent photography, excellent, excellent! July 8, 2006

politics as real life

I was writing to say that I've been waiting for this DVD for some years now, and am excited as heck to actually own it... to be able to watch this movie anytime, and share it with my friends who may never have experienced this beautiful story, is a delight which is so difficult to communicate! BUY IT!

Technical details (besides the ones amazon lists):

this DVD has optional english subtitles (original Spanish audio)!

it is NOT "widescreen", though I'm not positive it's pan-and-scan either. it seems as though perhaps the ratio of the ORIGINAL film was square-ish, so perhaps they didn't cut anything. i'm not sure. the fact is, however, that for many Latin American films, the process of re-producing the original VHS release for DVD release is relatively unlikely, due to their somewhat marginal market value.

and a review from the Film Society of Lincoln Center, which last year held a retrospective of the director's work in New York City:

"From Buenos Aires to Patagonia, WILD HORSES gallops along at breakneck speed, maneuvering twists of plot with agility and turns of character with grace. Directed by Marcelo Piñeyro and adapted from a script by Aida Bortnik, best known in the U.S. for The Official Story, this is a road film that celebrates sudden radical change, unlikely friendships, motion and the startling Argentine landscape. In showing how the media creates popular heroes, WILD HORSES is a shrewd and deft satire, but its understanding of the human heart brings an audience to tears. A selection of the 1995 San Sebastian Film Festival, the 1996 Sundance Film Festival, and the 1996 ND/NF Festival." March 2, 2005

More reviews at Amazon.com ...