Hi everyone!
Here’s the second of two Netflix Original reviews from me this week. Today’s film comes from the Spanish film scene, from director Oriol Paulo who also directed “The Invisible Guest” (Episode #369), reviewed by our good friend Andrew Campbell. Definitely check out his review, and check out a few more films from Netflix’s distribution deal with Atresmedia Cine, including “Gun City” (Episode #311), “The Laws of Thermodynamics” (Episode #249), and “The Tribe” (Episode #329).
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Here we go!
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Today’s movie is “Mirage”, the Netflix Original drama directed by Oriol Paulo, and written for the screen in collaboration with Lara Sendim. In 1989, during an electrical storm, a woman is found dead by a young boy, who also dies in an automobile accident. Twenty-five years later, during a surprisingly similar electrical storm, Vera Roy (Adriana Ugarte) discovers a camera and television that allows her to communicate with the past, allowing her to save the young boy, but which also dramatically changes her present.
No spoilers.
I have loved watching the lines between genres continue to blur over the past twenty-five years, especially as the audiences continue to expand and diversify for genres like horror, science fiction, fantasy, superheroes, and post-apocalyptic content. Part of that diversification manifests through the creation of new combo genres, like dramedies and romantic comedies and romantic dramedies. Part of that diversification embeds itself deeper into the film, creating a story that spans genres without shortchanging the audience. Today’s film is in the latter category, fusing a family drama and a murder mystery within a world with science fiction elements and under a thriller timeframe. It even includes appropriate dashes of romance and action, which should delight audiences across the spectrum.
Combining that many genres requires a lot of setup. “Mirage” starts very slowly, with an opening scene recounting the deaths from 1989 and introduces the viewer to the rules of the science fiction elements. And because we’re operating within two separate timelines, we need to introduce the present timeline and characters as well, which means when history is changed, we need to re-introduce the present all over again. The only constant is Vera, whom Adriana Ugarte plays with exceptional realism, and forms the necessary storytelling anchor for the viewer. It’s when we’re finally enmeshed in the parallel timeline that the film starts to hook the viewer, and at this point, Paulo begins challenging the viewer, revealing hidden truths from the past and present that force us to consider new perspectives and reconsider our positions. I was sure I knew where the film was going at the outset, and was pleasantly surprised ending up in a much different location than I expected at the end.
Paulo uses a few great storytelling techniques throughout the film. When Vera experiences flashbacks from the altered timeline, we get incredibly detailed scenes that tell a great deal of story in a short amount of time. Paulo also likes to revisit the same scenes, but from different angles, revealing new story elements. Excellent sets and locations were chosen and worked into the story. I think I’m going to have to a closer look at Oriol Paulo going forward. I haven’t yet gotten around to watching “The Invisible Guest” (Episode #369), but it’s now closer to the top of my list after today’s film. I’m also quite interested in “The Body” from 2012, which was another collaboration with co-writer Lara Sendim. I hope that last one wasn’t a Fantastic Fest feature. Because I’ll totally fight Andrew over it.
“Mirage” is a multi-genre Spanish thriller set across multiple timelines, beginning as an attempt to save one boy from dying, and ending up in some pretty amazing places. Oriol Paulo and Lara Sendim weave an incredible story, anchored by Adriana Ugarte’s strong performance as Vera Roy. Fans of time travel films, or mysteries, or thrillers, or pretty much any genre attached to this film will likely enjoy this film, as long as you make it through the slow start.
Rotten Tomatoes: 71%
Metacritic: NR
One Movie Punch: 8.2/10
“Mirage” (2018) is rated TV-MAand is currently playing on Netflix.
