Jauja – Movie Review by Frank L.

Director: Lisandro Alonso
Writers: Lisandro Alonso, Fabian Casas
Stars: Viggo Mortensen, Ghita Nørby, Viilbjørk Malling Agger

Patagonia 1882 is the time when the action begins. When it ends is difficult to determine and what has happened in between even more difficult. It is all a bit of a mystery but there is a central figure who is a Danish engineer and he has a teenage daughter. She elopes amongst the vast open spaces of Patagonia. He searches for her and encounters a series of “happenings” some likely; some not likely. A fine large dog, an old woman and a young girl dominate the last third of the film but how they relate to the opening is puzzling even if each is another visual treat.

The principal pleasure is the performance of Viggo Mortensen as the Danish engineer Gunnar Dinnesen. He as a human is vulnerable in the vast landscape, a mere mortal. It is all mysterious but beautiful. It is difficult to recommend that to watch this film is the most rewarding way to pass an hour and fifty minutes of one’s existence.