Pablo Trapero once again plunges audiences into the life on the fringes of Buenos Aires, with his follow up to Carancho, and his latest feature White Elephant is a compelling, but flawed, drama.
The title takes its name from the shell of a former hospital that dominates the downtown slums of the Argentinean capital. Surrounding this redundant hollow structure are a maze-like network of streets, where, among the poorest of the city, lives Father Julian (Ricardo Darrin). On a daily basis Julian battles corrupt politicians, interfering police and violent gangs, all in the effort to help the needy. When he discovers he is suffering from a terminal illness, Julian, calls upon a young, headstrong Catholic priest Father Nicolas (Jeremie Renier) to take over his work.
Trapero drew inspiration from the real life of Father Carlos Mugica, a martyr gunned down in the slums that he was trying to help. This true account acts as a springboard for the South American director to raise a social commentary about the life for the poorest members of the capital.
Compellingly portrayed and ambitious in scope, White Elephant is shot with a frantic pace that captures the nervous energy, and desperation of life in this shantytown, aided by Michael Nyman’s beautiful and punishing score. Julian’s attempts to create a safe haven is frequently proven to be a futile endeavor, immediately allowing us to empathise with his plight, even if we cannot fully understand it. Backed up by strong performances from the headstrong Renier and bolstered by Martina Gusman’s feisty, atheist social worker, Luciana, we are given a trio of convincing performances that mask the weakness of the plot.
White Elephant lacks the polish found in Trapero’s previous works, disappointingly losing its narrative thrust as it attempts to weave an abundance of themes into a singular coherent drama. Yet this is ambition is conversely that which provides its potent appeal of how frankly it represents life in the margins.
Whilst the film wanes briefly, the films thrilling, emotional climax rekindles that frenetic energy that hurtled us along throughout, providing the pay-off in what is a heartfelt, if imperfect, drama.
[Rating:4/5]
