Plata Quemada (novel)

Plata Quemada by Ricardo Piglia is a novel that claims to be based on historical events, this is probably true but there will always be room for questions when a novel claims to be “ based on historical events”. Regardless of the novels claim of truth we cannot help but question how much these “true events” shaped the novels plot and characters. There is a good chance that the novels depiction of the Twins is in fact historical. After all the legendary criminal duos that to this day we still speak about where real people who did commit such acts of violence we cannot help but find their lack of mercy to be a topic of discussion and even glorification.

The novel Plata Quemada is based on a famous standoff between cops and a very small band of criminals who had stolen a sum of money that would make today’s business owners scuff at the idea of getting an force so large for only three individuals and money that is only good to burn. The dates in the novel however are not as accurate as the actual stand off; this is no big deal as the novel is based on these events instead of being an exact retelling of history. For once the novel that inspires the movie, takes greater liberties as far as its historical claims go and this is were the inaccuracy does neither justice not fault to the literature. As it stands now the movie may have historically accurate when the novel is not. Even so this particular film adaptation is one that captured the novels mood down to a T.

There is no need to get stuck on historical facts, and what is accurate and what is not. After all we do not watch a movie to be lectured or to relive history unless that is the directors intention, we watch a movie to see something else that is neither lecture nor a historical documentary. Plata Quemada is a work of fiction that was inspired by real life events. The two main characters, a couple that just so happen to be criminal’s so its not just a couple of criminals, also known as “The Twins” are engaged in a homosexual love affair, do not get caught up on this aspect of the novel as it is not the main drive or theme of it. The depiction of their love is an interesting one as it is not a perfect relationship; it is filled with odd and awkward bumps in a road that is not usually trekked by “love”. These two lovers are not your everyday bandidos, they are in fact gay but not how the mainstream portrayal of homosexuals goes, they are aggressive, bloodthirsty and murderous. What the novel does expertly is give roles of power to men who are not always the bacon of masculinity or notoriety. Of course there are social stigmas in relations to gay couples that come across and through the novel. However it does empowers a negative stereotype in regards to homosexuals, even so this cannot be helped as the novel makes this couple of criminals a dominant light over the rest of the world regardless of their sexual orientation. It is no love story, Plata Quemada is a strong piece of social commentary. The act of burning money is a slightly controversial action even in a novel seen it as society worships money above many other things family included. The commentary we are exposed to is both explicit and filled with blurbs aimed at society.

Plata Quemada is a grounded novel and not over the top or fantastic, a bit theatrical but not in an overwhelming way. Because it does stay in the fictional realm something’s may feel fantastic when in reality they are not. No matter how fictional the novel may be it will have some hints of reality to it even if just as reference. The rest is an exaggeration of the truth. The liberties taken are not a big deal as I said before. If anything it gives it nudge and allows for a unique story. It does not feel like the focus of the novel to retell history, but it is its goal to let an audience see into the lives of a Bonnie and Clyde like duo and how the two deal with the problems in their life. The way the story unfolds is a bit predictable but its not a big problem either, its not as it can be helped. It does not take huge turns and go throw great obstacles to let you know that Nene is heading for destruction and bringing Angels somewhat child like mind along for the ride. And in a sense it does not need to do any of this to create tension, the tension of the novel is already there. 

Pantaleon y las visitadoras

 

                    

Pantaleon y las visitadoras is Francisco J. Lombardi’s film adaptation of a novel by Mario Vargas Llosa. It’s an entertaining movie, what else can I say. If you have to watch it just do it for the sake of watch an adaptation based on a novel that is full of social commentary aimed at the military dictatorships of south America. The fact that Pantalean y las visitadoras is a mainstream movie and accessible to any moviegoer makes it just an entertaining film, and not a landmark in Latino American cinema, not because it is accessible to any audience due to dumb down plot in the movie it weakens the entire story. Pataleon y las visitadoras like I said, is accessible to any audience especially those who have not read the novel, which is not a bad thing per say, even though the novel by Vargas Llosa will continue to be an experience that the movie adaptation cannot offered.

The imposed romance plot line of the movie is corny and not creative or even original. It was just pasted together to make the audience follow blindly expecting something to happen between Pantaleon and La Colombiana. Whatever did happen between the two was eclipsed by such a corny set up and in the end we don’t really know enough about both their feelings to even care. The romance plotline could have been executed better or done away with like other elements of the story were done away with in the film adaptation. The story might have even been better and totally different if the romance had been omitted as far as the movie is concerned. What I really did not like about the romance between Pantaleon and la Colombiana in the movie is that the novel is not about them, instead the movie makes out to be this love story between an officer of the army and a working girl.

Something I did miss from the novel, or rather was lost in the translation is the briefings and letters Pantaleon sends to his officer, this method of narration was an lineal-easy-entertaining way of reading the story. In the movie, however, this method of narration is totally lost as we only see one or two of these briefings that are either stale and none comical, or rushed and out of place,. The novels way of skipping from narration to narration is not present. I realize this may all be too harsh but the fact is, the movie is just an entertaining one, not a great one. There are a million and one things that could have been included in the film adaptation that would have allowed for an even better finished product and made the movie feel more like the novel.

Vargas Llosa's Captain Pantoja

Captain Pantoja and his special services is a novel by famed boom novelist Mario Vargas Llosa is a comical novel that deals with some serious and controversial issues. In essence the novel deals with the danger of a extremists or extreme ideology. With the humor I mention Vargas Llosa points out the corruption of the Peruvian dictatorship and the hypocrisy of the media. Through a character that from the start is comical due to his name and quick introduction to his background, Capitne Pantaleon Pantoja is a character that puts his job before his wife and family.

Through a quick introduction to the character and a briefing of Pantoja’s very important mission we already start to get the idea that Pantaleon Pantoja’s mission is not as serious as his superiors make it out to be. In a very literal sense Pantoja’s sole duty is to be an army funded pimp who supplies entertainment and relive for the men who are “defending” the country. In this particular novel the savagery of men in the army and even civilians come through. All characters are corrupt; rather all male characters are corrupt.

The novel’s structure is something to note as Vargas Llosa utilizes various methods of telling his story. We are able to connect with the character through his interaction with the army and with the prostitutes. The briefings that Pantoja sends his supervisors, it is through the briefings that the sense of humor comes out in plain sight as Pantaleon Pantoja speaks of his mission with much enthusiasm and interest when all he has really done is create a brothel for prostitutes. The novel is a great one and with a great sense of humor Vargas Llosa tells a story that while dealing with series topics through comedy still conveys a message of disapproval in the army.