★ 7 / 10
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m-sileo
It's a film about taking responsibility. About recognizing the mistakes we make, owning them without shortcuts, and, when possible, trying to make things…
It's a film about taking responsibility. About recognizing the mistakes we make, owning them without shortcuts, and, when possible, trying to make things right. That idea runs through the entire story and gives it an emotional weight that blends very naturally with the humor.Gabriel Nesci manages to make a fairly complex narrative structure, full of time jumps and a large cast of characters, flow with admirable clarity. That's no small feat. The film moves forward as a comedy that is genuinely hilarious at times, yet it never loses sight of what it's telling or who it's following.There's also something really lovely about its cinematic spirit, like a return to a kind of filmmaking we don't see as often anymore. One where visual and sound storytelling take priority, where the practical outweighs the digital, and where you can feel that the film was thought through before, during, and after the shoot. Everything feels carefully crafted, never rushed.The tone is openly Zemeckian, without disguise or embarrassment, and that works in its favor. There's playfulness with time, sincere emotion, physical comedy, and a very classic faith in cinema's ability to fix, at least a little, what's broken.On top of that, the cast is perfectly tuned for comedy. Lopilato and Vicuña are surprisingly funny, with solid timing and without falling into easy exaggeration. And every time Gabriel Corrado shows up, the movie instantly kicks up a notch: brief appearances, but always effective, the kind of character who walks in and steals the scene.It's especially beautiful how the device that allows her to dive into her past and try to understand her choices is directly tied to her relationship with her father. It's not just a clever narrative tool, but a deeply emotional one, connecting memory, guilt, and affection.
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★ 9 / 10
MarkS-491
The title cleverly unites father of lead character Denise's extensive vinyl collection and love for classic albums, with the central plot device. This is a…
The title cleverly unites father of lead character Denise's extensive vinyl collection and love for classic albums, with the central plot device. This is a feel good movie with twists and turns using a novel spin on the time-travel concept. Very well-acted by Luisiana Lopilato as professionally devoted sommelier, Denise, and contrasting love interests, Benjamin Amadeo as fellow oenophile Tomás Blanco and Mayan-obsessed, Chef David (Benjamin Vicuña). Director Nesci injects perfect pacing with some great comedic moments. The satisfying finale yields reconciliation without resorting to schmalz. Message in a Bottle is a genuinely well crafted gem within a well worn, often lack-lustre genre.
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★ 9 / 10
Message in a Bottle is a hidden gem
MarkS-491
The title cleverly unites father of lead character Denise's extensive vinyl collection and love for classic albums, with the central plot device. This is a…
The title cleverly unites father of lead character Denise's extensive vinyl collection and love for classic albums, with the central plot device. This is a feel good movie with twists and turns using a novel spin on the time-travel concept. Very well-acted by Luisiana Lopilato as professionally devoted sommelier, Denise, and contrasting love interests, Benjamin Amadeo as fellow oenophile Tomás Blanco and Mayan-obsessed, Chef David (Benjamin Vicuña). Director Nesci injects perfect pacing with some great comedic moments. The satisfying finale yields reconciliation without resorting to schmalz. Message in a Bottle is a genuinely well crafted gem within a well worn, often lack-lustre genre.
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6.2/10
509
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Brilliant! I loved it even though I don't like and I don't drink wine. Intriguing and very interesting! I have never got bored and I followed the story until the end without yawning. Very good actors, good pace. Argentinian films are often very good and this one absolutely is. Recommended! 8/10.