Imagining Argentina

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Imagining Argentina

R

2003

1h 47m

Drama

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Popcornmeter

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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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Audience Member

Beautifully depicted story about yet another black page in human history.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

Full Review

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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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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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