MOVIE: Intacto
Starring Max Von Sydow, Leonardo Sbaraglia,
Eusebio Poncella, Monica Lopez, Antonio Dechent
Written and Directed by Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Lions Gate Films
Reviewed by Rusty Pipes

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You won't soon forget Intacto, a taut psychological thriller with a metaphysical twist by Writer/Director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. Shot partly in English and Spanish, it's really a story about Luck. What's unique is that in this story Luck is transferable, even steal-able if you have the gift.

There are several major characters but the plot ultimately revolves around the "God Of Chance," Sam Berg, played by Max Von Sydow. He plays very dangerous games, but Berg is so lucky that no one has beaten him at any game of chance ever since he escaped a Nazi death camp as a child. In a way, though, Berg has become like a vampire, destroying all those who come to play him and sucking up all their luck.

Eusebio Poncella plays Berg's disciple, Frederico, who also has the gift but has it taken away when he tries to leave his master early in the film. Starting over from scratch, he plays through others, and he actively searches out potential players with a high charge of luck. His search leads him to Tomas, played by Argentinian born Leonardo Sbaraglia, a small time crook who proves he has the gift when he is the sole survivor of an airliner crash. Frederico frees Tomas from police custody and then grooms his lucky ward with several games, all to win a new confrontation with Berg.

Intacto has a strong component of mystery as you never quite know how each game is to be played until you are in it, plus there is a policewoman, Sara (Monica Lopez), a wild card who is on the trail of Tomas and a dangerous bullfighter Alfredo, (Antonio Dechent) who may be as lucky as Tomas. Full of flashbacks and rich, darkly emotional performances, Fresnadillo's story will have you guessing as much as Memento or The Game, but in the end there isn't anything quite like it.

The Skinny:
Am I glad I saw the movie? Yes, Intacto is a great ride.
Would I go to see it again? There are a lot of subtle things going on and a second look is practically required.

© 2003 - Rusty Pipes