Neruda is a Spanish foreign language film following events in Chile
during the 1940’s.
The film follows an investigator in charge of a nation-wide
manhunt as the Chilean government declares famous Nobel Prize-winning poet, Pablo
Neruda, a wanted man.
The film stars Gael Garcia Bernal as
the lead investigator following the nation-wide cat and mouse chase between the
two main characters.
The aforementioned Bernal also was the lead role in the film No, which was set in Chile during the Pinochet dictatorship.
The aforementioned Bernal also was the lead role in the film No, which was set in Chile during the Pinochet dictatorship.
Neruda sheds light on the life of Pablo Neruda, showing how he
came to be a significant influential international figure. As well as doing a good
job of characterizing Neruda as a man, separate from his awards, achievements
and cult hero status.
Showing both the good and equally bad sides of the man. Depicting how he used his fame, power, charisma, influence and voice throughout his life.
Showing both the good and equally bad sides of the man. Depicting how he used his fame, power, charisma, influence and voice throughout his life.
Synopsis
Pablo Neruda is a wanted man. Since joining the Chilean Communist
Party, the influential poet has been using his sliver tongue to tell many about
the political and social wonders he envisions for the country.
As you can guess, the government isn’t too thrilled about this. Accordingly, they name Neruda as an enemy of the state and launch a manhunt for the poet.
As you can guess, the government isn’t too thrilled about this. Accordingly, they name Neruda as an enemy of the state and launch a manhunt for the poet.
This makes Neruda a fugitive, a real man on the run. He uses
his many contacts and admirers to hide from his hunters. One of said hunters is
Óscar Peluchonneau (a fictional officer played by Gael Garcia Bernal), who is a young hotshot officer
eager to make a name for himself under the current governmental regime. He sets out on a mission to capture Neruda by any means necessary.
The remainder of the film switches perspectives of Neruda
and Peluchonneau as the poet flees from his counterpart and the officer
attempts to arrest the fugitive.
You could say it’s a bit like Catch Me If You Can as the story goes on to depict the
extraordinary lengths both characters go to in an attempt to best the other.
Important Themes
Neruda tells a tale of South American politics, changing
tides and deception. While putting Pablo Neruda at the forefront of the film.
Telling a biographical tale of his life in the 1940’s.
Many people know Pablo Neruda as either a successful poet, Nobel
Prize-winner or Pablo Picasso’s best friend. Throughout his years, Neruda became one of the most beloved modern day poets in history. As well as a considerably influential Chilean
figure during the 1940’s.
However, despite all of those accomplishments Neruda was a
very flawed man. Like many famous individuals with that kind of stardom, fame
and following, he had a very big ego and a just as fragile perception of
himself.
Undoubtedly, Neruda was a man who could write very well. He
gained a cult-like following in his late teens when he published his first poetic collections in the 1920's. As well as fame throughout the 1930’s for his work during the
Spanish Civil War and later for his work later in the 1940’s in his native
Chile.
While he took stance on the political left, it is a contested fact whether he was an actual idealist. During the 1940’s he would wow people with speeches,
declarations and stories all about love, politics, humanity and the intricacies
of life.
However, many came to the realization that behind these words he was himself a hypocrite. He would tell ardent speeches of freedom about the beauty of communism, the evil of money and individualism. He would put himself above others, live a life full of luxury, and horde his money and belongings. Leaving many labeling him a champagne communist.
However, many came to the realization that behind these words he was himself a hypocrite. He would tell ardent speeches of freedom about the beauty of communism, the evil of money and individualism. He would put himself above others, live a life full of luxury, and horde his money and belongings. Leaving many labeling him a champagne communist.
Still, to many who would hear his promises, he was a
visionary and hero. To the untrained eye, he embodied the proletariat spirit, was
passionate about togetherness and was a true romantic. He was a poet of the
people. He could do no wrong.
However yet again, Neruda would use his position of power to
coerce many young women into sex, both when he worked as a foreign diplomat and
as a poet.
He even wrote of his escapades, one such poem where he described how he raped an Asian woman. And other times where he would describe black women with as beasts or animals. Forcing many people in this day and age to reconsider what kind of man he was.
He even wrote of his escapades, one such poem where he described how he raped an Asian woman. And other times where he would describe black women with as beasts or animals. Forcing many people in this day and age to reconsider what kind of man he was.
The film Neruda does a tremendous job in
depicting the man that was Pablo Neruda. Telling a biographical tale of Neruda’s
life in the 1940’s. Painting a detailed picture of who the man behind the boastful
words truly was.
This realism is one of the reasons why I liked the film so
much, as the vast majority of us like to continue to write and perpetuate stories
of how great people are. Solely focusing on their accomplishments, while
ignoring all of the bad they have done (even if it was socially acceptable at the time).
Conclusion
Neruda is a great film. It tells a story full with drama,
comedy and wit. The film carries a very distinctive Chilean tone to it.
I
believe this is as a result of the contrast between the investigator, who embodies
the beliefs of the government and Neruda, who believes he holds the dreams of
the people and his loyalists in hand.
The two characters make the film all the more enjoyable as both actors played their roles spectacularly well.
The two characters make the film all the more enjoyable as both actors played their roles spectacularly well.
Neruda is a film that goes far beyond your typical biopic.
Rather than focusing on specific events and telling them as they out rightly
happened, it follows a different kind of storyline.
One that provides enough details for the viewer to make an opinion of what kind of man Pablo Neruda was.
One that provides enough details for the viewer to make an opinion of what kind of man Pablo Neruda was.
