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Imagining Argentina

Play trailer Poster for Imagining Argentina R 2003 1h 47m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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31% Tomatometer 13 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
During Argentina's 1970s military dictatorship, journalist Cecilia (Emma Thompson) is concerned about the kidnappings that have been taking place in the country. She pens a critical newspaper editorial and is abducted by police. Soon after, her husband, Carlos Rueda (Antonio Banderas), develops supernatural abilities and sees his wife meeting a terrible fate. When their daughter, Teresa (Leticia Dolera), is also taken away, Carlos is nearly driven mad as he searches for them both.
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Imagining Argentina

Critics Reviews

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Antonia Quirke London Evening Standard It is not a good film; it is, moreover, a very earnest one, and our popular culture despises earnestness above almost anything else. Dec 15, 2017 Full Review Ruthe Stein San Francisco Chronicle Despite its flaws, the film does the job in helping us imagine what that must be like for relatives and friends left behind. Rated: 3/4 Aug 20, 2004 Full Review David Stratton Variety It's sad to see a film which, despite fine work in the various craft departments, fails to succeed on the most basic level. Jun 29, 2004 Full Review Bill Gibron DVD Verdict Gimmicky, pat, and just a tad too brutal at times, Imagining Argentina is a powerful statement rendered oddly ineffectual by a consistent desire to avoid controversy. Rated: 80/100 Nov 30, 2005 Full Review Harry Guerin RTÉ (Ireland) Hampton's mixing of thriller and love story, cinematic coincidence and historical fact makes this film flawed but fascinating. Rated: 3/5 Jul 16, 2004 Full Review Scott Foundas L.A. Weekly Like Life Is Beautiful before it, Imagining Argentina juxtaposes horrific images of torture and humiliation against gooey optimism and thinks it's saying something profound about human resilience in the process. Jun 10, 2004 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member I love it it's great so sad well acted not sure why people criticise it Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Many good moments and acting but I preferred the book! Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member It would appear that the critics have no imagination. This wonderfully inventive movie shows us quite effectively what it was like to live in Argentina during the military dictatorship. The horrors of the dictatorship are brought to us through the eyes of Mr. Banderas's character. It is not, as some of the "critics" stated, "magical realism". It is a red thread of narrative that puts you, the viewer, in Argentina during the terror, seeing through the eyes of an innocent citizen. Very highly recommended. Critics failed on this one. And, Ruben Blades looking middle aged! (playing the a-political technical director) Henry in Missouri Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Audience Member excelkent movie about the "disappearing" of argentine citizens which the military government were against between 1976 and 1983. and even though this is a fictious story there is a lot of trust build in Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/11/23 Full Review Audience Member Interesting story based on real life events, this film benefits from two leads Banderas & Thompson both good as usual. Too bad the film feels so cheap and unconvincing. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/26/23 Full Review Audience Member Beautifully depicted story about yet another black page in human history. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Imagining Argentina

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Cast & Crew

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Christopher Hampton

Director

Antonio Banderas

Carlos Rueda

Emma Thompson

Cecilia Rueda

Rubén Blades

Silvio Ayala

Maria Canals-Barrera

Esme Palomares

Leticia Dolera

Teresa Rueda

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Imagining Argentina

Imagining Argentina (2003) Imagining Argentina (2003) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis During Argentina's 1970s military dictatorship, journalist Cecilia (Emma Thompson) is concerned about the kidnappings that have been taking place in the country. She pens a critical newspaper editorial and is abducted by police. Soon after, her husband, Carlos Rueda (Antonio Banderas), develops supernatural abilities and sees his wife meeting a terrible fate. When their daughter, Teresa (Leticia Dolera), is also taken away, Carlos is nearly driven mad as he searches for them both.
Director
Christopher Hampton
Producer
Geoffrey C. Lands, Michael Peyser, Diane Sillan Isaacs, Santiago Pozo
Screenwriter
Christopher Hampton
Production Co
Myriad Pictures
Rating
R
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 12, 2014
Runtime
1h 47m
Sound Mix
Surround
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