Family Law

This is the third in a series of films directed by Daniel Burman that features a Jewish protagonist living in Buenos Aires (the first two are Waiting for the Messiah and The Lost Embrace). Unfortunately, this film is the weakest of the three.

Ariel Perelman (Daniel Hendler - he played the protagonist in all three films) is a lawyer who teaches law at a university. His father Bernardo has a thriving practice but Ariel has no interest in joining him. He would rather be in an academic atmosphere. Despite being in his sixties Bernardo still carries a heavy work load. He has a very able assistant named Norita (Adriana Aizemberg) who seems to be his lover as well (and why not since Bernardo is a widower).

Ariel is attracted to Sandra(Juileta Diaz) who happens to be one of his students. When she doesn't show up for class for a while he tracks her down at her pilates studio. He gets into her good graces by helping her win a legal dispute (with the help of his father - but she doesn't know that). The two marry and before you know it they have an adorable son name Gaston (Eloy Burman).

And that in a nutshell sums it all up. Some other things happen in the film but they are quite predictable. I found the film to be meandering and almost plotless. There were a few laughs here and there but not enough to make this a worthwhile cinematic experience. I thought I felt this way in part because I was a bit tired but the person I was with felt exactly the same way.

There is really nothing to say about the acting because the characters were barely developed. Hendler does the best he can with what he has. But I read a quote from Variety that touted his performance and I wonder what that person took before he saw the film.

Family Law is Argentina's submission for this year's foreign language Oscar. It is hard to believe that Argentina didn't produce a better film during the past year. The chances for this film to be nominated are almost none.

Daniel Burman made two very fine films and one that is pretty mediocre. But he has shown potential in his previous efforts and let's hope that his next film will be better than this one.