I generally enjoy films by Gael Garcia Bernal. He has a tendency to find films that are unique. His 2010 film Even The Rain, had a very limited theatrical release. Having watched the film while it was still in theaters, I was surprised at such a limited release. It is a foreign film, which generally means the films get limited release in the US. But the good ones generally get more love than this one did.
Sebastian (Bernal) is a passionate Spanish film-maker. He and Costa (Lois Tosar), his producer, are in Bolivia to create a low-budget film about Christopher Columbus. The film seems destined for failure from the very beginning, when hundreds of locals arrive for an open audition. When they are told to leave, Daniel (Juan Carlos Aduviri), objects and demands to be seen. Sebastian decides to hold the open audition and casts Daniel as the tribal leader Hatuey.
The actors that have come to Bolivia for the lead roles are immersed in the script. Their impromptu readings demonstrate their passion for their roles. That passion reflects similarities between the characters and the actors, which is revealed during a dinner conversation about the movie. The parallel between the characters is complemented by a broader parallel between the Spanish exploitation of Gold and an on-going water crisis that threatens the completion of the film. The battle for free water erupts into a stand-off with the military. As violence ensues, the shooting location is abandoned as the actors fear for their safety.
The parallels that Paul Laverty wrote into his screenplay were abundant. Laverty includes a variety of images and dialogue that reflect the message of the film. The message replaces the conflict over gold with life-giving water. The water theme is introduced early in the film, in a conversation where the actors are learning the local language. One of the actors challenges another by asking "how long will you remember that Yaku means water?" The water issue slowly escalates, providing the source of conflict before reappearing in the final scene as a bond of friendship. The use of imagery was incorporated into the film, drawing further parallels between the past and present and between the actors and characters. It was a complex script that demonstrated talented writing. I have seen two other Laverty films and liked them both (Angel's Share and The Wind that Shakes the Barley).
In addition to the subtle message that avoided getting preachy, the film included solid characters. The characters were strong and carefully drawn to provide meaning. The characters themselves were part of the story. The dialogue also reflected a careful manipulation of language to provide added depth to the script. The dialogue was fresh and provided the film with credibility. The plot was interesting and was tied together nicely at the end. What could have been a seemingly empty ending held strong meaning, giving the film a rewarding conclusion.
Bernal delivered a strong performance as expected. However, I was impressed with his co-star, Tosar. Tosar has a pivotal role and handled it with ease. I am unfamiliar with Tosar but found myself convinced by his performance. His character is the most telling and is central to drawing the parallels in the film. He handled the transition with conviction. The film included several strong characters, all of whom contributed to a believable and intriguing film.
Even The Rain is an entertaining film even if the message is not considered. The dramatic elements are tense and move with a good pace. The inclusion of a layered message with great symbolism added to my enjoyment of the film. This is a film that you continue to find new meaning in subsequent viewings. It had nice depth, great character development, credible dialogue and an interesting ending. I was intrigued by the film from start to finish. 8/10.