Directed by Sebastián Borensztein
Starring Ricardo Darín, Verónica Llinás, Luis Brandoni, Chino Darín, Andrés Parra and Ailín Zaninovich

It is August 2001 in Argentina and it’s been more than a decade since an agricultural cooperative known as “La Metodica” in the small town of Villa Alsina went bankrupt. Local couple Fermín and Lidia Perlassi (played by Ricardo Darín and Verónica Llinás) have aspirations to restore and re-open La Metodica, but require a significant amount of funds just to cover the initial costs. After gaining financial support and the agreeance of their friend Antonio Fontana (Luis Brandoni), the trio pitch the idea to several others in the local community who all happily contribute what they can towards a loan for this project. Naturally, as any other person would, Fermín decides to open a bank account and deposit the funds there to keep everybody’s generous investments safe. That’s where things get interesting! In a matter of days, Argentina’s economy and banking system collapses, resulting in the government announcing the implementation of a Corralito in order to stop a bank run. Worse still, someone has stolen all of their money! That’s when these locals, together with Fermín’s son, Rodrigo (played by Ricardo Darín’s real-life son, Chino Darín), search for a way to get back what’s rightfully theirs.

This is a rare time where I would actually encourage people to arrive 2-3 minutes late for a movie! Though I acknowledge it certainly seems this isn’t what director Sebastián Borensztein is aiming for, Heroic Losers could have generated so much more anticipation during its finale had it not revealed it to us in its opening minutes. Nevertheless, what transpires for the remainder of its duration is an easily entertaining and broadly accessible story that builds quite nicely towards its still exciting and satisfying finish. While Heroic Losers is lacking in visual flare (camerawork, editing and directing are all a bit on the bland side), its screenplay and characters apply a lighter and humourous touch on proceedings that very much belong here. A worthwhile entry into the heist movie genre.

Heroic Losers (La odisea de los giles) is showing in selected cinemas across Australia from June 10.

Moviedoc thanks Palace Films for the invitation to the screening of this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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