Viggo Mortensen is an interesting chap. Not only is he in possession of one of the most recognisable grunts in cinema (or am I the only one to notice that?), he is something of a Renaissance man. Mortensen is a poet, publisher, musician and artist, with a wealth of language skills. Continuing this passion for overachieving, for his role in the Argentinean film Everybody Has A Plan, he plays two roles – both in impeccable Spanish.
Augustin (Mortensen) is a doctor in Buenos Aires who has become deeply unsatisfied with the comfortable life he shares with his wife Claudia (The Secret In Their Eyes’ Soledad Villamil). A visit from his less successful twin brother Pedro gives Augustin an opportunity to escape. Augustin assumes Pedro’s identity and returns to the place in which they grew up, hoping to live a quiet, more authentic life. Unfortunately, Augustin soon feels the consequences of his brothers criminal past.
This is writer/director Ana Piterbarg’s first feature and while it shows a lot of promise, it doesn’t quite hit the film noir mark it seems to be aiming for. While Mortensen has managed to create two very different personalities for his twin characters, I couldn’t help but feel that we were spending time with the wrong twin. In the short time with Pedro, Motensen brings him to life as a likable, grizzled rogue. In contrast, Augstin is emotionally blank and difficult to connect with on any level.
Where Piterbarg does excel, is in giving the film a beautiful sense of place. The Parana Delta region of Argentina is an area in which the Parana river splits, creating a network of islands. It’s inhabitants live on small islands, accessible only by boat. Piterbarg uses the quiet isolation of the place to create an atmosphere of foreboding that is more effective than that created by the narrative.
Everybody Has A Plan is a diverting enough thriller but is perhaps a little short on thrills. Still, on this evidence, Piterbarg has better work ahead of her and is one to watch.