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Family Law

Written by Nobuhiro Hosoki

 

After winning multiple awards at the Berlin Film Fest with his father-and-son reunion drama "Lost Embrace," director Daniel Burman adds "Family Law" as the concluding episode to a trilogy that has already brought a breath of fresh air to Argentinian cinema.

The film begins clumsily, with a voiceover of law professor and public defender Ariel Perelman Jr., trailing his father, Perelman, Sr. through his daily routine of a tight, regimented schedule. We soon sense that the older man's mannerism and attentiveness to his clients have contributed to his success, making his name a legend in the legal community. The younger man learns new elements about his father as the film progresses, but it's very obvious that Junior's work is overshadowed by his father's formidable stature.

However, Ariel, Jr. has his own method of teaching a law class at Buenos Aires university--a method that constitutes an intellectual conundrum when he brings in an actor to demonstrate for his class. He also has his own fling with Sandra (Julieta Diaz), one of his students he might marry some day, or so he's convinced himself.  After Sandra falls into  trouble around the law of trademarks and patents, an infraction that is punishable by law--she is using a Pilates machine without authorization and her machine is confiscated--Ariel wins the legal suit for her, with behind-the-scenes support from his father.  He also wins her over and the knot is tied.

The couple has a quite charming son named Gaston (Eloy Burman, the director's real-life son), and we're treated to the subtle suggestion that Ariel is eager to connect with him. After a few years have passed, Ariel finds his office building shut down one day. He uses this hiatus to stray outside of his usual natural habitat, even though he fails to mention his wife's existence in his exploration.

Throughout the film father and son share a poignant bond that resonates with all of us. Some might find this film lacking in dramatic approach, however. Director Burman avoids strong narrative, simply relying on a meticulous observation of the individual identity, ultimately revealing a sentimental outlook of irritation and merriment. In the end, Ariel shows confusion when he comes across the dreaded article how "Parents take better care of their attractive children." Still, he seems to acknowledge that it's what his family thinks that counts. In short, it's "Family Law" that is unbreakable.

Written (in Spanish, with English subtitles) and directed by Daniel Burman
Director of photography: Ramiro Civita
Edited by Alejandro Parysow
Music by César Lerner
Art director: Maria Eugenia Sueiro
Produced by Diego Dubcovsky and Mr. Burman
Released by IFC First Take.
Running time: 102 minutes.
This film is not rated.

Cast: Daniel Hendler (Ariel Perelman Jr.)
Julieta Díaz (Sandra)
Arturo Goetz (Bernardo Perelman Sr.)
Damian Dreizik (Darmidjian),
Adriana Aizenberg (Norita)
Jean Pierre Reguerraz (Tío Eduardo) ,
and Eloy Burman (Gastón).