La vida de los peces (2010)

Directed by: Matias Bize | 84 minutes | drama | Actors: Santiago Cabrera, Blanca Lewin, Antonia Zegers, Victor Montero, Sebastián Layseca, Juan Pablo Miranda, Luz Jiménez, María Gracia Omegna, Alicia Rodríguez, Francisca Cárdenas, Diego Fontecilla, Pedro del Carril, Matías Jara

‘La vida de los peces’ is already the fourth feature film by Matías Bize. With his previous films, this director made a name for himself as a Chilean follower of Richard Linklater. As in Linklater’s best films (“Before Sunrise” and “Before Sunset”), Bize’s films are short-lived and largely composed of dialogue. Despite Linklater’s obvious influence, the Chilean’s previous films have been widely praised. That creates expectations.

Those expectations are largely fulfilled. In ‘La vida de los peces’ we follow in real time the travel guide writer Andrés, during a party for which he has returned from Berlin especially. Andrés’ tour of the party becomes a tour of his life, with all the missed opportunities, past loves and dead friendships that a life can contain.

Bize and fellow screenwriter Julio Rojas undoubtedly had a hard time getting this story smoothly on the canvas. Yet it works. Without ever leading to forced or unnatural conversations, a part of Andrés’s past is revealed at every meeting. The youngest partygoers are especially curious about stories about the internet and sex, the older guests are more interested in the emotional life of their old friend. Good acting and strong dialogues ensure that the interaction is always believable.

Those who are less interested in dialogue and acting can always enjoy cinematography and music. Party lights, an illuminated aquarium and a quasi-searching camera provide a consistent, dream-like imagery. The melancholy music reflects Andrés’ melancholy and immediately puts the viewer in a melancholic mood.

Unfortunately ‘La vida de los peces’ loses power at the end. We hear a long monologue from a former lover of Andrés. Because we hardly got to know this beloved in the previous part and because the monologue does not excel in originality, we cannot empathize with her. The pity we feel is the pity for a crying stranger at a party. No more. In addition, the nature of the film changes from a contemplative tour through the past to an active drama in the present. That transition doesn’t look great.

These are the only downsides of a film that is more than satisfactory. The level of grandmaster Linklater is not reached, but Matias Bize comes pretty close. And to think that the director was only 31 years old when making ‘La vida de los peces’. Indeed, that creates expectations.