Click Above To Buy NOW!

Intacto is a critically acclaimed movie from 2002. It was an official selection at several film festivals including: Sundance, Cannes, and Toronto’s film festivals. There is a reason for this. Intacto is one of the most original, well-executed movies I have ever seen.

A big part of this is due to the director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. Fresnadillo brings several memorable shots and an overall air of professionalism to this film. I frequently found myself being lost in the images of Fresnadillo’s film. The film has a bright glossy look, which is in stark contrast to the films bleak, but intriguing, story.

The story of Intacto takes a little explaining. It relies on the premise of luck as an almost tangible commodity. Luck can be taken from others by special people just with a touch, and then those people own that person’s luck. The point of all this? There is one man who, for all intents and purposes, is the king of luck. People want to beat him.

What really sets Intacto apart from other films is its originality mixed with its beautiful imagery. The games that these people play to prove who has more luck are offbeat and mesmerizing. There is one game where people run through a forest blindfolded to see who is the luckiest. Shots of the swarm of people running full speed ahead through the forest is one of the most beautiful thing that Ihave ever seen… intellectually and aesthetically. It’s even more satisfying when one of those lucky people smacks into a tree trunk at full speed.

The acting succeeds in a realistic fashion. The characters each play their parts with a sort of grim fatalism that only the belief in luck can bring. Max Von Sydow stands out from the rest of the cast as the crusty old king of luck who is affectionately called The Jew by those who wish to challenge him. His monologue near the end of the story is truly awe-inspiring and perhaps one of the best scenes that I have ever seen. I would watch the whole movie over again just to watch that scene.

If you haven’t seen this movie yet, then you should definitely check it out. It is very ambitious and has already found itself in my short list of favorites. I can’t wait to see what Juan Carlos Fresnadillo does with 28 Weeks Later.

Final Synopsis: A rarity indeed, a thriller with all the glitz of Hollywood and the heart of the independent film industry, I recommend this movie to everyone. It is incomparable to anything else that I have seen. It is unique. Go buy it… if you can find it.

Points Lost: -1 for a lame female cop subplot,

Burning Question: Can Fresnadillo maintain his talent with 28 Weeks Later? I’m not so sure… there doesn’t appear to be anywhere to go but down after this movie.

Intacto
9/10

Tags: 2001, drama, foreign, foreign drama, foreign movie, gambling, juan carlos fresnadillo, latest movie review, max von sydow, recent, Spanish