A young girl, Margarita, is the central character in Lone Scherfig’s new film The Movie Teller. Margarita is curious, aware of the big changes that are happening within her family and in the small mining town where she lives. Her father Medardo’s (Antonio de la Torre) accident means that they have to cut down on expenses. One of those expenses include the movies, and the family eventually assigns her to be the titular movie teller. She narrates movies for the increasing number of people who can’t access that theatre. Growing up (Sara Becker), she retains this talent but two things haunt her. Why did her mother Magnolia (Berenice Bejo) leave? What does a foreigner, Nansen (Daniel Bruhl), have to do with that departure?
Reviews of Scherfig’s pre-An Education work are surprising because it talks about how no-frills her work is. This is the opposite of her work now, which feels slightly glossy. But then again, this is something we can expect in a movie with female characters in the forefront as well as a period piece. I am less on board with the criticism on how this film is too sad because again, this is a film about a country hurtling into a military dictatorship. Expecting anything else feels foolish. A film like this also works because of its performances, the biggest standout being Bejo and her use of body language. The rest of the cast also bring humanity in a film that would feel bleak without them.
- Rated: NR
- Genre: Drama, History
- Release Date: 9/11/2023
- Directed by: Lone Scherfig
- Starring: Antonio de La Torre, Bérénice Bejo, Daniel Brühl, Sara Becker
- Produced by: Adolfo Blanco
- Written by: Isabel Coixet, Rafa Russo, Walter Salles
- Studio: A Contracorriente Films, Embankment Films, Selenium Films
