Possibly Romero's best film, 'Isabelita' is the perfection of Romero's narrative. As many other of his films, the basic drama is built around the crossing of multi-class archetypes that dislike each other but are forced to coexist in an urban setting that prophetically foresees the Argentina of the Peronism movement; with a number of songs masterfully integrated into the mise-en-scene of the film. Romero's beloved ensemble of characters, which reappear constantly in his extensive filmography, move comfortably between the grotesque inherited from the theatrical tradition of his country, and a natural freshness that seems almost documentary. The director's style, funded on an economy surrendered to action, has nothing to envy of the contemporary masters of the American screwball comedy (McCarey, Hawks, LaCava, Lubitsch). Romero had in addition a quality of populism deprived of propaganda, which allows to fully enjoy his films regardless if one agrees or not with the particular model of Argentina he supports. Coherent and personal, Romero has perfected one single film over and over again, where plots and fables are easily exchangeable. He's justly regarded as the first author and formal architect of the Argentine cinema.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
