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.
I would argue that the enormous police mobilization is verisimilar whether it is factually true or not. One has to remember that the reason the police are up in arms is that the robbers not only killed citizens but also police. Again, one must remember that the use of firearms was not as common in the 1960s as it would became later.
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