Mr. Kaplan

'Mr. Kaplan' (2014) directed by Alvaro Brechner is, I think, the second Uruguayan film I've ever seen. It enjoyed success in Latin America and Germany, and represented Uruguay in the competition for best foreign film at the 2015 Academy Awards. The film belongs the genre of films about Holocaust survivors, a genre that evolves over time as the last survivors leave this world, and the perspective of the filmmakers becomes either that of the descendants of the survivors or of the new generations trying to understand this huge historical aberration of the 20th century and its aftermath. Director Álvaro Brechner descends from a family of Holocaust survivors settled in South America and 'Mr. Kaplan' is inspired by the figure of his grandfather, but the film also deals with another broad issue bringing up old age and what gives meaning to life until the final years. The comic and slightly melodramatic register of the script and of the directorial approach does not prevent the emphasising of the message, on the contrary, it amplifies its impact.

The story takes place in Uruguay at the end of 90s. Jacobo Kaplan (Héctor Noguera) is getting old. Age catches up with him, memory and sight begin to show signs of rust, routine dominates his marriage that has lasted for over 50 years, and his life is dominated by the feeling that he failed to live up to the hopes of his parents who had sent him as a young Jewish boy to the shore of salvation in South America to escape the fate of the other Jews who perished in the Holocaust in Europe. Coincidentally, he learns about the existence of Julius Reich (Rolf Becker), an old and lonely man of German origin, with a behavior that seems to hide dark secrets. Could he be a Nazi criminal taking refuge in South America after World War II? If true, discovering his secrets and bringing him to justice would ultimately give meaning to a life that seems otherwise underachieved. Maybe it's not too late. Together with Wilson Contreras (Néstor Guzzini), a former alcoholic cop, the archetype of the living loser from many points of view (personal, family), Jacopo Kaplan plans an operation like the one that many decades ago led to the capture of Adolph Eichmann and his transfer in Israel to be brought to justice. The reality turns out to be a little different from the one imagined by the hero, and the well-drawn plans will lead to complications and comic confusions, but also to the revelation of some truths that are not easy to reconcile.

I liked the bittersweet approach. Something of the specific Jewish humor, a mixture of sad laughter, self-persiflage and optimism without which it is impossible to get past the small and big troubles of life are mixed in the character played wonderfully by Héctor Noguera. I've seen quite a few movies in recent years dedicated to the problems of old age, 'Mr. Kaplan' can be added, in a style that combines melodrama and comedy. I loved the performance of Néstor Guzzini in the role of a typical 'loser' who receives a life lesson and borrows strength from the old Jew. The social environment of Jewish families in South America is portrayed with a delicate but sarcastic humor, reminiscent of Woody Allen's New York movies. Without completely avoiding clichés 'Mr. Kaplan' is a more than reasonable cinematic experience, a film that manages to amuse and create emotion for its viewers.

Uruguay's submission for Best Foreign Language Film Mr. Kaplan is certainly a treat for any ticket holders. It's a film that takes itself seriously enough to have weight and depth to its characters and themes, but not seriously enough to still have fun while doing it. After all, the plot is about two men; one an ageing Jew in an existential crisis and the other a defeated but kind-hearted ex-cop and their plot to kidnap an escaped Nazi putting him to trial in Israel for his past crimes. It examines the value of this salvation and confronts the demons that haunt our past.

With director Álvaro Brechner's pair of bumbling amateur detectives, Mr. Kaplan feels Alexander Payne-esque with its quirky but grounded sense of humour and a human substance to a slick cinematic style. That's the balancing act that the film achieves that makes it a cut above the rest. It bounces between the two key characters and its main plot with ease, slowly developing and progressing their motivations. While setbacks in other films can feel unsatisfying, Mr. Kaplan makes those stalling moments feel essential to creating a richer more meaningful picture.

However, it's more sprightly than Payne's work, and delightfully so. It's unafraid to break rules as a homage to Western showdown demonstrates the friction between its protagonist and antagonist, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet type montages deliver colorful exposition. Fortunately, it never feels indulgent, and that's thanks to how it always brings up the profound ideas on the meaning of our lives during the farce. What is a life well lived? What if the thing we were meant to do with our lives was in our final years? It's almost a comforting idea.

Héctor Noguera's titular protagonist Jacob Kaplan gives a great nuanced and sympathetic performance despite the character's suspicious and mean-spirited nature. Although he's motivated by a vague vengeance, his compassion for others show the human beneath. However, the film's most valuable player is Néstor Guzzini as Contreras, Kaplan's partner in his mission and chauffeur. Guzzini brings a gentle and tender weight to a character downtrodden too often and makes it easy to invest in his plight. They make a wonderful twosome, both in their comic and tragic moments.

Sometimes the film can feel too silly as it reaches for obvious gags, but most of the humour is natural and dry. While its final stretches are quite rocky compared to the rest, it recovers nicely and justifies itself in a quietly poignant way. It's a really attractive and finely produced film with sizzling blues and golds in the photography, particularly at the very tempting beaches. I would not be surprised to see it up on the Kodak theatre podium beating this year's popular grittier contenders based on how easy and rewarding Mr. Kaplan is to watch. I'd be cheering for it anyhow.

8/10

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