Martin, an Argentine film director living in exile in Spain,
guards his emotions carefully. He refuses to give into the "tango
nostalgia" of his fellow exiles who openly long for their homeland.
He's equally put off by the volatile behavior and the cocaine use of
his sultry girlfriend. The news that his 19-year-old son has taken a
drug overdose suddenly forces this cynical loner into flying back to
Buenos Aires. He agrees to take his son back to Madrid to live with
him. There, despite the prodding of a gay friend, Martin remains
"locked in himself" while his son feels even more lost and out of
place.
Argentine director Adolpho Aristarain exposes the cultural and
life style differences that separate this disappointed parent and his
ambitionless son. Actor Federico Luppi manages to be sympathetic as
the irritatingly aloof Martin. Cecilia Roth is heartbreakingly real
as Martin's lover. Eusebio Poncela is equally unforgettable as one of
the most appealingly honest gay characters to ever appear on the
screen. It's rare to see characters this multi-dimensional, which is
why this exceptionally moving film is such a welcome discovery.
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