This astutely observed, wryly gracious little film tells the tale of a 50-year-old wife and mother who discovers richly deserved respite from domestic routine in her remarkable newfound skill with giant jigsaw puzzles.
Delicate... a low-key charmer for audiences open to its honest subtleties, boosted in no small part by Maria Onetto's beautifully modulated performance.
Screened as part of NZIFF 2010
Puzzle 2009
Rompecabezas
This astutely observed, wryly gracious little film tells the tale of a 50-year-old wife and mother who discovers richly deserved respite from domestic routine (and her blithely affectionate husband and sons) in her remarkable skill with giant jigsaw puzzles. There’s no shopping-channel boosterism here, just warmth, generosity and quiet worldly wisdom. — BG.
“A sweet little Argentine film illuminated by an engaging performance by protagonist Maria Onetto, Natalia Smirnoff’s directing debut describes the self-liberation of an exploited housewife… Ably balanced between humor and household drama, the light-handed directing is just right… Smirnoff… has written a sophisticated script that doesn’t try to vilify Maria’s family; in fact, her husband appears very loving and has his own small, humorous encounters with Tai Chi and tree-hugging… Ultimately everyone wins in this gentle fable.” — Deborah Young, Hollywood Reporter