107. The Delinquents (Los delincuentes); movie review

 

THE DELINQUENTS (LOS DELINCUENTES)

Cert 12A

190 mins

BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong language, moderate sex references, nudity, brief violence

I understand epics such as Gone With The Wind stretching to more than three hours - it did have to fit in the American Civil War and America's reconstruction.

But it is way too long for a movie with a limited plotline and a cast so small that the same man plays two key parts.

The Delinquents would have been a very good movie if it had been half as long.

But, for me, its intriguing premise and empathy with its characters were lost because I could not maintain concentration.

Rodrigo Moreno's film poses an enticing question - what is the value of freedom?

His film stars Daniel Elías as Morán, a bored bank official who deposits large sums in the vault daily with a colleague.

Circumstances then dictate that he has to do the job alone and temptation suddenly stands before him.

So, having calculated that the theft would cost him three and a half years in jail, he decides to steal the money.

For him, it is a simple equation - the relatively short stretch behind bars against 20 years working in a job that leaves him unfulfilled.

He then tells a colleague (Esteban Bigliardi) with a perfect alibi to hide the money in return for a substantial cut.

The latter accepts but has not reckoned on the pressure a bag of cash, hidden in his wardrobe, would exert.

The dilemmas facing the pair are compelling, and Moreno also brings in captivating romantic aspects.

There are some high-quality moments during The Delinquents, and the strands are pulled together but not tight enough for a satisfying conclusion.

It left me frustrated that I had spent so long on a movie that felt either needed severe editing or was self-indulgent by its makers.

Reasons to watch: Off-beat heist

Reasons to avoid: Far too long

Laughs: A few chuckles

Jumps: None

Vomit: None

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 5/10

Did you know? The Delinquents was the official submission of Argentina for the 'Best International Feature Film' category of the 96th Academy Awards in 2024.

The final word. Rodrigo Moreno: "I was interested in creating a dialogue between my generation and classic cinema from the 1940s and ‘50s. It was supposedly the Golden Era of cinema, but it is not reflected in the cinema that we make today." Film Comment

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