Watch Margarita
- PG-13
- 2016
- 1 hr 33 min
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4.9 (77)
Margarita is a poignant drama film that explores a range of highly relevant social issues, including immigration, displacement, and family dynamics. Directed by Bruno Ascenzo and produced by Tondero Films, the movie features a talented cast of actors, including Francisca Aronsson, Giovanni Ciccia, and Melania Urbina. The film centers around the character of Margarita, a young Peruvian woman who is struggling to find her place in life. After her mother suddenly passes away, Margarita is forced to leave her home in Peru and move to Sweden with her father, step-mother, and step-siblings. The family comes from vastly different cultural backgrounds, and Margarita finds it difficult to adjust to her new life.
Early on, the movie establishes a sense of tension between Margarita and her step-mother, Monica. Margarita feels out of place in Sweden, socially and linguistically isolated, while Monica frequently nags her about her behavior and her future prospects. The tension comes to a head when Margarita announces that she's going to audition for a nightclub singer position, which Monica disapproves of. This sets the stage for a complex family dynamic, which is further explored throughout the film.
One of the central themes of Margarita is the sense of displacement that Margarita feels as an immigrant in Sweden. This is explored in multiple ways. Early on, Margarita's father tells her that she needs to forget about her old life in Peru and embrace her new life in Sweden if she wants to be happy. But for Margarita, this is much easier said than done. Unlike her step-siblings, who are able to adapt easily to their new life, Margarita is still haunted by memories of her old life, and longs to return.
At the same time, Margarita is also plagued by a sense of guilt for having left her younger brother behind in Peru. She worries about her brother's safety and well-being, and feels helpless to do anything about it. This guilt becomes a source of tension between her and her father, who seems to resent the fact that Margarita left her brother behind.
Another major theme of the film is family dynamics. The relationship between Margarita and her step-mother is strained at best, but Margarita is also dealing with conflicts with her father and step-siblings. Her father is distant and unsupportive, and Margarita feels like an outsider in her own family. At the same time, she's struggling to bond with her step-siblings, who are also dealing with their own problems.
Overall, Margarita is a powerful and emotional film that deals with a wide range of complex themes. It's a moving exploration of the immigrant experience, and a poignant portrayal of the challenges that come with trying to find one's place in the world. The performances are uniformly excellent, particularly Francisca Aronsson in the lead role, and the direction is thoughtful and nuanced. This is a film that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
Margarita is a 2016 art house & international movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 33 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.9.