Search - Peligrosa Obsesion on DVD

Maybe Not An Obsession--But A Pleasant Diversion

K. Harris | Las Vegas, NV | 09/27/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Peligrosa" is a big action film--a genre not typically explored in Argentinean cinema. It is an enjoyable, if not particularly original film. It is essentially established as a buddy road movie set largely in Buenos Aires. Two guys are thrown together by circumstance and a whole lot of trouble, and end up literally fighting for their lives. Let's just say there are plenty of explosions, gunplay, double crosses, secrets revealed, mobsters, drugs, cash, crooked cops--you name it. And of course, the cliche wouldn't be complete without the beautiful woman who joins them and has the potential to divide their loyalty.

I don't want to pretend this is a great movie, but I was glad I watched it. The action set pieces are well done, the stunts good, the three leads are attractive and appealing, there are some good twists and turns, some humor. I can think of worse ways to spend a couple of hours. But the film is also shot beautifully and Buenos Aries is a spectacular backdrop.

To equate this with well known directors, I'd say this was comparable to a lesser John Woo film or a better Michael Bay movie. There is a bold twist to be enjoyed at the end--whether or not it makes absolute sense, however, is up for debate. But my brain was on hold and I went with it! Plausibility would have made a more lingering effort--instead it's an easily enjoyed and easily forgotten little action trifle. KGHarris, 9/06."

Hollywood action genre with an Argentine accent

Penumbra | Atlanta, GA USA | 06/15/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It's obvious from the outset that director, Raúl Rodríguez Peila's goal was to make an Argentine interpretation of a Hollywood action movie. He succeeded. "Peligrosa obsesión" is a thrill ride of 18 wheelers going off bridges, police cars flipping, car chases, shoot outs, explosions, and mad villains. There's little space left to squeeze in much dialog or a coherent story line, but you won't really miss them.

The glue that holds all the fast paced wreckage together is a thin plot in which an unsuspecting young man, Javier Labat (Pablo Echarri), learns that his family's trucking business has been taken over by some pretty unsavory characters who are now calling all the shots. Javier's father, Guillermo, was supposed to deliver a major drug shipment but decided to keep the goods for himself. Now Guillermo lies in a coma and Javier's younger brother is dead.

The drug lords and the police believe that Javier must know where the missing shipment is located. And both are prepared to use ruthless measures to recover it. It's up to Javier to save Labat Trucking, and his own life, by staying alive long enough to locate the missing drugs.

Javier is aided by by two acquaintances he makes early in the film. Tony Corsini (Mariano Martínez), an oddly friendly young man who seems to have an endless supply of relatives in positions to offer assistance, and some advanced high tech skills of his own. The Corsini family have been white collar thieves for six generations; Tony's specialty is computers. And, Mariana (Carol Castro) a lovely young Brazilian journalist along for the ride.

I've got to say, Pablo Echarri must be the most versatile young actor in Argentina. He is excellent in serious drama (Burnt Money and The Method (El Metodo)), surprisingly good at screwball comedy (Apasionados), and now this. Javier, the reluctant action hero of "Peligrosa obsesión" isn't taxing Echarri's acting skills but he does it well and he obviously spent significant time getting buffed up for the part.

There are some gorgeous location sequences shot in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires. The DVD format information on this page saying "black & white" is in error; this is a color movie.

The DVD includes Spanish audio in Dolby 5.1 or 2.0, optional English subtitles, previews."