[Rating: Rock Fist Way Up]
As I get older (shoutout to me almost being 30 – WHAT?!), I’m still reflecting on my life and wondering if I have chosen the right paths. In the last two years, I have made so many friends that I now consider a part of my family, and people who keep me going in this strange and chaotic world. Actor and director Julio Torres explores similar themes of the human condition in his new film Problemista, which is steeped in a surreal world, and ends up being one of the most oddly heartfelt films I’ve seen.
Torres plays Alejandro, an immigrant from El Salvador now living on a work visa in New York City. His dream is to create surreal toys for Hasbro, inspired by his own mothers love of art. He’s aloof and lonely in the big world. He currently works for FreezeCorp, a company that freezes humans (although they admit it’s basically killing people), in the hopes of “one day” bringing them back to life. One little mishap with his patient leads to his firing. This is bad news, because without a job Alejandro could get sent back to El Salvador.
That patient’s wife however brings Alejandro into her world to help her keep the memory of her frozen-dead husband alive. She is Elizabeth (Tilda Swinton). Imagine her as a neurotic, chaotic and semi-evil queen who wants to preserve her husband in any way possible, while Alejandro sees her as a key to getting sponsorship to stay in the country. The two form an unlikely and mentally unhealthy relationship in search of Elizabeth’s husband’s paintings, hoping to curate an exhibition to earn money to keep him medically frozen. Their journey together brings them closer and apart at every turn, but also Alejandro help realize himself and his ability to some out of his shy closet.
I adored this film so much. I saw myself in Alejandro’s character. Shy and reserved, but willing to push myself with guidance to explore the world around me. Torres’ script is sharp and his characterization of Elizabeth is so wildly fascinating, it’s a role Swinton was meant for.
And speaking of Swinton, she is fanTASTIC in this film. Hectic as hell and never once sitting down to just soak in the moment, I couldn’t see anybody else playing the role. She is the heart of the film, despite her character being so abrasive. You’ll meet many people in your life that will help change the way you see yourself and the big world around you.
I want Problemista to stay on my year-end list. It’s a terrific character study of two completely insane and different individuals that find some spark of hope and love in each other—a passion project if there ever was one!
Christian Ramos is a classic film fan, having had the dream to host Turner Classic Movies for years now. He also has a large amount of Oscar trivia in his head, remembers dressing as Groucho Marx one Halloween, and cherishes the moment Julianne Moore liked his tweet.
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