By Alyssa Winn
In Problemista, Julio Torres has managed to make the pain of the illegal immigrant, struggling to stay in America, as interesting as it is terrible.
Problemista, written and directed by Julio Torres. Screening at AMC Boston Common, Coolidge Corner Theatre, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, and other video buildings around New England.
Julio Torres, left, and Tilda Swinton in a field from Problemista. Photo: Jon Pack/A24
Julio Torres, a comedian, wears the three big hats on Problemista, but he is n’t removing this outrageous plot from the hat. The movie is a reflection of lived practice, it is clear. Moving to New York City with honest stars in their eyes from other countries is not almost fresh news. Torres infuses the magical into the cruelly practical, giving the frequently discussed story of immigration woes, monster bosses, and widespread nepotism a new perspective. Torres ‘ debut film shows that he is the kind of comedy writer and director who can find fun and awfulness everywhere, no matter how mundane or terrifying it may be.
As a child in El Salvador, Alejandro’s ( Torres ) artist mother ( Catalina Saavedra ) encouraged his creative dreams. Alejandro has moved to NYC to , set those goals in action. His purpose: a career as a gadget designer at Hasbro. However, Alejandro must understand the incredibly challenging American immigration system, which is made even more challenging by his job loss ( and thus his function sponsored visa ) as an archivist at a frozen freezing facility. He is told by the government that he must find new funding within one month or he will be deported. His lawyer advises him about the hurdles he will have to jump through because of how deep inside. The fees will be expensive…but he is n’t allowed to work. He only has one month to apply for a new card, and it is obvious he needs to find a job that pays in dollars.
When the artist’s wife ( Tilda Swinton ) is in charge of archiving, Alejandro is hired as an assistant to help her put on a show featuring her icy husband’s art. Elizabeth did partner his work card if all goes according to plan. Looks as if things may work out, but there is one striking problem: Elizabeth is, well put, a total whackjob.
” Stop screaming at me”! People who offers her assistance cries out to Elizabeth. I worked as a production assistant throughout college, but I’m only just beginning my profession in the entertainment sector. Her unwavering sense of entitlement pushed me to the top of panic, but anyone who has been submissive to an unreasonable manager will enjoy her nuts. Aesthetically, Tilda Swinton has been transformed in a wonderful ghost, from her surprise of badly dyed reddish hair to a succession of quirky,’ 80s inspired outfits. Elizabeth is a Hydra, as one might say, and each attempt to fix one problem results in two more spring up in its place.
This scars Torres ‘ album as a feature film producer, but he’s no stranger to making funny excellence. He was nominated for an Emmy for his four-year creating tenure on Saturday Night Live. He is now the co-host and actor for the Los Espookys, a series he co-hosted by Fred Armisen. He is great as Alejandro, a broad- eyed sycophant who the n’t stir an ever- provide cowlick and an air of apparent nervousness. Torres and Swinton nails Alejandro and Elizabeth’s harmful relationship, a snake and baseball in a container. They are polar opposites, but they share a common need: each is attempting to accept a world that wo n’t let them in.
Problemista persuasively argues that the American immigration program has serious flaws. On both sides of the intellectual split, that is a cliche, but understanding what this means to individuals in practice calls for concentration. Torres leavens the nail- cutting stress — an exhausting upward fight against the U. S. Immigration system — , with funny tours of Alejandro’s fanciful imagination. His irrational thinking provides a break from the tough streets of New York City. These extravagant luxuries reflect his intense emotions as he confronts the absurdities of an injustice method. There is no method out in Alejandro’s never-ending labyrinth of locked rooms in a particularly gorgeous psychedelic format. He envisions a menacing area filled with thousands of hourglasses, each indicating the countdown to the immigrant visa’s expiration date. Day is squandered and wasted.
Among Alejandro’s problems is the privileged Bingham ( James Scully, who played an equally insufferable trust fund baby in Netflix’s You ). He was forced to work as an intern for Elizabeth because he was the brother of a very wealthy gallerist after his father crashed his father’s vehicles. Bingham does n’t need or care about this position, and certainly not Alejandro does. Another barrier to Alejandro’s unusual desire is Bingham’s presence, which is also an obstacle. In his search for under-the-table jobs, Alejandro consults with Craigslist ( brought to life by Larry Owens ). He ultimately veers ever deeper into the shadow of dubious jobs. Well, these scenes are awkwardly charged surreal charm, but their resonance with reality is sad. Alejandro should have to use these ruses to stay in this region, but the date restraints imposed by his expiring card are straitjacketing. In Problemista, Julio Torres has managed to make the stress of the illegal immigrant, struggling to stay in America, as interesting as it is terrible.
Alyssa Winn , is a new graduate of Boston University, where she earned her education in Film &, Television. Her love for movie extends to her roles as a chairman and producer, where she has brought to life a collection of award- winning little films, commercials, and music videos. Her Maslow’s hierarchy of needs includes talking about movies, jazz clubs, exuberant dinner parties, and a commitment to not taking things too seriously.
