Carlos Ugarte, the psychiatrist at the center of this story, is a mediocre man. As a professional, anyone should be warned not to go to him. Seeing him treat his patients makes one wonder how could he even be allowed to call himself a therapist. Things get worse when he learns that Alicia, his estranged lover, has decided to emigrate to the United States, planning to take their son, Tomas, with her. Suddenly, Carlos realizes he is living a chaotic existence.
Ugarte is employed at a hospital where he is a resident therapist. The place is ill staffed, with dwindling supplies, and poor organization. The only positive thing is Telma, a woman who cares about the welfare of the people living at the facility. She appears to have a soft heart for Carlos Ugarte, in spite of all his shortcomings.
When Carlos decides to stop seeing Paco, a patient that has been sent to him by his company, he does not take into consideration how this poor soul will change his life. After Paco fakes a suicide in order to attract attention to his case, Dr. Ugarte is called to talk his former patient out of doing himself in. Paco, who has become homeless, comes to live, temporarily, at Carlos' house. Little by little, Paco's positive attitude rubs in the way Ugarte looks at his life and the mediocre man he has become.
An original Argentine film written and directed by Rodolfo Duran, who is new to us, not having seen anything by him before. The screenplay was co-written by Axel Nacher. "Terapias alternativas" is an uneven picture, but the talent of its director comes shining through. Mr. Duran takes a hard look at the deplorable conditions of the public health service in Argentina. Carlos Ugarte is basically a bureaucrat; his interest in his profession has long stopped being important to him. Carlos will be paid, no matter what. Paco, on the other hand, is a victim of the system that is prevalent in the country, or so it seems.
We were impressed by the performances by Manuel Callau, who plays Carlos Ugarte, and by Pablo Cerri's Paco. The director knows how to keep things under control, resulting in a comedy that has its heart in the right place. The supporting cast does a wonderful job for Mr. Duran.
One can only hope to see Ricardo Duran's work more often.
Ugarte is employed at a hospital where he is a resident therapist. The place is ill staffed, with dwindling supplies, and poor organization. The only positive thing is Telma, a woman who cares about the welfare of the people living at the facility. She appears to have a soft heart for Carlos Ugarte, in spite of all his shortcomings.
When Carlos decides to stop seeing Paco, a patient that has been sent to him by his company, he does not take into consideration how this poor soul will change his life. After Paco fakes a suicide in order to attract attention to his case, Dr. Ugarte is called to talk his former patient out of doing himself in. Paco, who has become homeless, comes to live, temporarily, at Carlos' house. Little by little, Paco's positive attitude rubs in the way Ugarte looks at his life and the mediocre man he has become.
An original Argentine film written and directed by Rodolfo Duran, who is new to us, not having seen anything by him before. The screenplay was co-written by Axel Nacher. "Terapias alternativas" is an uneven picture, but the talent of its director comes shining through. Mr. Duran takes a hard look at the deplorable conditions of the public health service in Argentina. Carlos Ugarte is basically a bureaucrat; his interest in his profession has long stopped being important to him. Carlos will be paid, no matter what. Paco, on the other hand, is a victim of the system that is prevalent in the country, or so it seems.
We were impressed by the performances by Manuel Callau, who plays Carlos Ugarte, and by Pablo Cerri's Paco. The director knows how to keep things under control, resulting in a comedy that has its heart in the right place. The supporting cast does a wonderful job for Mr. Duran.
One can only hope to see Ricardo Duran's work more often.
