In an unnamed Latin American country, American government aid agent Philip Michael Santore (Yves Montand) is killed and there is a widespread military crackdown. In flashbacks titled after the days of the week, Philip and others are kidnapped by leftist urban rebels. He is interrogated with evidence of his involvement in torture in Brazil. The aid agency is shown to be a front for American support of right wing military juntas in the region. It gives rise to death squads and repression.
This is an anti-American treatise on its involvement in Latin America. In general, I don't have much issue with that as long as it's good. My biggest issue is that this does seem to be a treatise more than a dramatic story. Quite frankly, the movie reaches its high point or low point with the torture seminar. It is visually horrifying and Orwellian. The movie can never get as high or as low as that point. Instead of a narrative story, it's more a litany of American inspired atrocities. There is some great filmmaking and compelling individual scene. I will never forget the comedy of the military ransacking of the university. There are interesting vignettes throughout this movie.
This is an anti-American treatise on its involvement in Latin America. In general, I don't have much issue with that as long as it's good. My biggest issue is that this does seem to be a treatise more than a dramatic story. Quite frankly, the movie reaches its high point or low point with the torture seminar. It is visually horrifying and Orwellian. The movie can never get as high or as low as that point. Instead of a narrative story, it's more a litany of American inspired atrocities. There is some great filmmaking and compelling individual scene. I will never forget the comedy of the military ransacking of the university. There are interesting vignettes throughout this movie.