Watch El Polaquito
- 2003
- 1 hr 32 min
-
6.8 (759)
El Polaquito is a 2003 Argentine crime drama directed by Juan Carlos Desanzo. The movie follows the story of a young boy named Rodrigo, nicknamed El Polaquito, who lives in a poor neighborhood in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The movie depicts the harsh realities of life in the slums of Buenos Aires and takes a deep dive into the dark world of crime and drug addiction.
Abel Ayala gives an outstanding performance as the lead character, El Polaquito. He is a street-smart, tough and rebellious boy who has grown up in a world where poverty and crime are a part of everyday life. Despite his young age, El Polaquito has already experienced a lot of pain and hardship. His mother, a drug addict, abandoned him when he was just a baby, and he has been living with his alcoholic grandmother, Tita, ever since. El Polaquito is forced to fend for himself and turn to petty crime to survive.
Marina Glezer also gives a powerful performance as Tita, El Polaquito's grandmother who suffers from alcoholism. She is a tragic figure in the movie and her struggles with addiction are heartbreaking to watch. Despite her flaws, she loves El Polaquito deeply and tries her best to take care of him, even though she is not always able to.
Fernando Roa plays El Chueco, an ex-convict and drug dealer who takes El Polaquito under his wing. El Chueco is a complex character who initially comes across as cold and merciless, but as the movie progresses, we start to see his more human side. He takes a liking to El Polaquito and sees potential in him as a drug dealer.
The cinematography in El Polaquito is stunning. The movie is shot entirely on location in the slums of Buenos Aires, and the filmmakers do an excellent job of capturing the gritty and raw reality of the setting. The use of natural lighting and handheld cameras gives the movie a documentary-like feel, and the camera work during the film's more action-packed scenes is exhilarating.
El Polaquito is both a coming-of-age story and a cautionary tale about the dangers of drug addiction and crime. The movie is unflinching in its depiction of the poverty and hopelessness that exists in the slums of Buenos Aires, but it also shows that there is still a glimmer of hope for those who are willing to fight against the odds.
Overall, El Polaquito is a must-watch movie for anyone interested in the dark side of human nature and the harsh realities of life in the slums of Buenos Aires. The movie is an emotional rollercoaster that will leave you both heartbroken and inspired. The performances from the lead actors are outstanding, and the cinematography is breathtaking. If you are a fan of gritty crime dramas, then El Polaquito is definitely worth watching.