The Delinquents is a film that defies genre conventions and expectations. Directed by Rodrigo Moreno, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section for innovative or personal cinema. The story begins with a bank robbery that is executed with surprising ease by Moran, played by Daniel Elias. Instead of the usual action-packed heist film, Moreno takes a calm and measured approach to deconstructing the genre over the course of the film’s three-hour runtime.
The Heist and Its Aftermath
Moran works in a dreary bank in Cordoba, Argentina, where he plans his heist with precision. He picks the perfect moment when his colleagues are out of the office and walks into the vault, taking only the amount of money he needs to start a new life. He also convinces his colleague Roman, played by Esteban Bigliardi, to become his accomplice and hide the money in a remote location. Moran’s plan is to confess to the crime in a few days and spend a little over three years in prison before starting his new life.
The Unconventional Hiding Spot
The middle hour of the film follows Roman’s journey to the remote mountainside where he is supposed to hide the money. On the way, he meets a group of picnickers who are making a film about gardens. They spend their days basking in modest pleasures, and Roman is entranced by their carefree lifestyle. He forgets about his partner at home and the burden of criminality as he enjoys the moment. The film doesn’t follow the usual genre conventions, and instead of a police chase or double-crossing, the story takes a meandering track.
Personal Redemption and New Beginnings
Moran serves his time in prison and discovers a love of modern poetry. He reads aloud to his fellow inmates, including the prison boss Garrincha. Meanwhile, back at the bank, an investigator suspects Roman’s involvement in the heist. However, the film doesn’t follow the expected path of jeopardy. Instead, the thieves are revealed to be unfulfilled, somewhat dull men in early middle age who want to buy new lives. They ultimately achieve their goal, but not in the way one might expect.
The Director’s Unique Approach
Rodrigo Moreno defies genre conventions with The Delinquents, presenting a box-office challenge with a three-hour film that doesn’t deliver any of the usual payoffs. However, the director’s approach is refreshing and thought-provoking, making the film a must-watch for cinephiles. Moreno takes a calm and measured approach to deconstructing the heist genre, focusing on the personal redemption of the characters rather than the action-packed thrills of the heist itself.
The Delinquents is a genre-defying film that defies expectations and conventions. Rodrigo Moreno’s measured approach to deconstructing the heist genre and focusing on personal redemption rather than action-packed thrills makes the film unique and thought-provoking. Despite its three-hour runtime and lack of traditional genre payoffs, The Delinquents is a must-watch for cinephiles looking for something different.
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