May. 21, 1992|Argentina | Canada|127 Min.|R
Genre: Comedy;Drama;Romance
Description: The Dark Side of the Heart, released in 1992, tells the story of Oliverio, a young poet living in Buenos Aires. To make ends meet, he occasionally sells his ideas to an advertising agency or trades his poems for a meal. During a visit to Montevideo, he encounters a prostitute named Ana and falls in love with her. Upon returning to Buenos Aires, Oliverio accepts a contract with an advertising agency to fund three days of romance with Ana. The film explores whether he will find what he is searching for, as his ideal of love involves a surreal experience of levitation during intimacy.
The protagonist, a handsome poet, is on a relentless quest for the perfect woman—one who can literally fly. If a partner fails to meet this unique criterion, she is swiftly discarded through a trap door in his bed. His life takes a complicated turn when he falls for a beautiful prostitute who possesses this extraordinary ability.
Widely regarded as a masterpiece, the film combines surrealism, poetry, and love in a captivating way. Released in 1992, it remains a significant achievement in Latin American cinema. The characters, narrative, and emotional depth are exceptional, and the script, inspired by the poetry of Mario Benedetti, contributes to its enduring impact.
Oliverio, portrayed by Darío Grandinetti, embodies a self-absorbed yet magnetic personality. His charm and idealism make him both intriguing and frustrating, as he navigates relationships with a sense of detachment. The film invites viewers to reflect on themes of love, idealism, and the pursuit of perfection, making it a timeless and thought-provoking piece.
Cast director: Eliseo Subiela
Cast actor: Darío Grandinetti, Sandra Ballesteros, Nacha Guevara, André Melançon, Jean Pierre Reguerraz, Mónica Galán, Inés Vernengo, Tito Haas, Walter Soubrié, Mario Benedetti
Original name: El lado oscuro del corazón