Unconscious

Unconscious ***1/2

Directed by Joaquín Oristrell
Written by Joaquín Oristrell, Dominic Harari, and Teresa Pelegri

Starring:
Leonor Watling as Alma
Luis Tosar as Salvador
Alex Brendemühl as Leon
Núria Prims as Olivar
Mercedes Sampietro as Sra. Mingarro

100 Minutes(Rated R for sexual content including dialogue, and some drug material.)
-------------------------------
After months of delay, "Unconscious" is finally released in the United States, and in the greater New York area, and to tell the truth, it was worth the wait. "Unconscious" is a wonderful movie, and one of the few films that have come out this year that is worth the hunt to go see. Even the art films haven't been very good, but if someone asks me what indie or foreign film to see, this is the one. Even the rest of the audience clapped after this one. It's funny, fresh, and very very clever, using some great source material, and taking the subjects of Freud and sociology and turning them into a fantastic mystery. It is also a great excuse to see Leonor Watling, who is not only a terrific actress but one of the most beautiful women in the acting game. Watching her is a constant delight, and thankfully she's in this for about two thirds of it.

"Unconscious" is the story of two couples. First there is Alma and Leon, two fans of Freud and even simply fans of literature. And then there is Salvador and Olivia, whose sex life is lacking, and the two of them are pretty much bored with each other. Olivia and Alma are sisters, and their father employs Leon and Salvador. Their father finds out that he has a brain tumor and will be dead in six months. He decides to leave his office over to Leon, which doesn't sit well with Olivia because she feels that her father favors Alma over her. One day, the very pregnant Alma comes to Salvador in a fright, claiming that her husband has left her. Alma is certain that her husband is either missing or dead, and she enlists the help of Salvador to find him. The two of them poke around through her husband's psychiatric thesis, which is the study of four hysterical women, and all or one of them may or may not know something about Leon. And along the way, Alma and Salvador come to truths about themselves and others, as Salvador confesses that he has loved her for years, only married her sister to be close to her, and wants to raise her child as his own, while Alma just wants her husband back, and to find out who a mysterious figure on the stairs was when she arrived home the day he left. . .

"Unconscious" great because it's fresh and because it's witty. This seems like a script that actually had a lot of time and effort put into it, and not something that was just slapped together. And it's very smart how the use of Freud and other various psychiatric theories were used to divide the film into certain sections. I am almost positive that some of it went over my head because I am not an expert on that sort of thing, but the jokes that were related to that which I did get were enough to fall in love with the script. In addition the characters are great, especially Alma, the neurotic yet lovable wife. Leonor Watling plays her brilliantly, and even when she is being a complete pain in the rear there is something so charming about her that you forgive her, and you almost laugh with her. There is just something about her that lights up the screen and makes you smile. The same goes for Salvador(only to a lesser degree), the bearded husband who just wants everything to be right, but at the same time probably enjoys all the time he spends with his best friends wife. The look is very well done, remaining consistent with the time this is supposed to be set-1913. Much of it tries to reenact old silent films of the day, and when going from scene to scene it appears like a old film changing reels, and whenever it goes from section to section, a little border appears on the edges like a curtain and stage to an old theatre play. Little touches like that didn't make the film seem "cute," but "sophisticated." "Unconscious" is a thinking man's comedy-it requires that you strictly pay attention and follow what is happening. It's easy to get lost, but there is enough happening and even to wash your eyes over that you won't get bored or tear your eyes from the screen. And for a film that is all about analysis, you shouldn't stress over this as much. It's just a light, enjoyable romantic comedy-it's a lot of fun, and it is easily the best film out at the moment.