Medianeras Review

Medianeras Review

Cast: Pilar López de Ayala, Javier Drolas, Inés Efron, Carla Peterson, Rafael Ferro
Director: Gustavo Taretto
Genre: Drama, Romance
Rated: Unclassified 15 +
Running Time: 95 minutes

Synopsis: Martin is a phobic in recovery process. Little by little he manages to step out of the isolation of his one-room apartment and his virtual reality. He is a web designer.

Mariana just broke up after a long relationship. Her head is a mess, just like the apartment where she takes refuge.

Martin and Mariana live in the same street, in opposite buildings, but they never met.
They walk through the same places, but they do not notice each other.

How can they meet in a city of three million people?
Urban loneliness.
Buenos Aires.
Medianeras.
What separates them is what brings them together.

Verdict: A cute and quirky, modern day story about meeting the right one at the right time. Medianeras (Sidewalls) is a film by Gustavo Taretto, spoken in Spanish with English subtitles. It begins with two separate yet very similar characters who have both just become single. They are both lonely and bored and looking for the right person but are both failing miserably. Martin (Javier Drolas) a web designer, is left with his ex girlfriend's gorgeous dog to keep him company, while she jets off to America, while Mariana (Pilar Lopez de Ayala) a shop girl with a phobia of lifts, spends her time moping around at home with her mannequins.

Martin and Mariana are neighbours and have obliviously passed each other on the streets many times. They both have the same interests, such as swimming, among other things, yet they have no idea that the other exists. They live on opposite sides of the street on the buildings sidewalls, facing each other. By chance they briefly connect on the internet but still they don't find each other. How will they ever find each other when it seems that fate is against them?

The film highlighted the fact that we strongly rely on modern technology such as phones and computers. Martin does almost everything via the internet, including talking to people. Maybe if we got out more instead of sitting on our computers, we might have the chance to find our Wally (Mariana loves searching the books for Where's Wally.) It's a predictable yet enjoyable story that lets us know that no matter how different or unique you are, there's always someone out there that's right for you.

There was some talk of buildings and architecture throughout the film and a few long stretches of time with no dialogue. Also at times the subtitles were hard to read, but apart from that it was fun to watch with its off-beat style. The characters were interesting and a bit off centre but that's what makes these stories more entertaining. The film runs for a short 95 minutes, ending with a cute singing video.

Rating: Overall it was an enjoyable film and I'm giving it 3.5 stars.
-Sarah Masson

Release Date: 14th of April, 2011
Website: www.lamirada.org.au