Cinephile No. 1,139 “Problemista”
Recommendation: 3/5 Stars, STREAM
Plot: “Alejandro is an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in NY. As time runs out on his work visa, a job assisting an erratic art-world outcast becomes his only hope to stay in the country.” -IMDB
Review: As a parent, you create a world of safety and security for your child. In your protection, you push them to chase their wildest dreams. You do this fully cognizant of what waits beyond your door. Far removed from the bubble of your love, they will face heartache, ridicule, impossible odds, countless obstacles, and unfathomable challenges beyond your consideration. As painful as it can be to let them go, you do so with a quiet hope that you have left a positive mark that will guide them forward.
Problemista takes this framework and adds another layer of intrigue. Alejandro (Julio Torres) isn’t just chasing his dream of becoming a toy designer in the rough and tumble world of New York City. He is the embodiment of his mother’s aspirations, who lives in his homeland of El Salvador. As an immigrant in the United States on a work visa, Alejandro must continue to work to maintain his status. For now, that work is an entry level position at a cryogenic company, while he chases his dream of designing toys.
A simple mistake jeopardizes everything and puts him on a collision course with Elizabeth (Tilda Swinton). For her part, Elizabeth, whose husband is frozen at the cryogenic center, can be summed up as a challenging grinch who uses power and privilege to get her way. This often means bullying others.
They cross paths when Alejandro is fired from his job for accidentally unplugging Elizabeth’s husband. After a brief exchange leaving the center, Alejandro recognizes an opportunity to stay in the U.S. If he can assist Elizabeth launch an art show of her late husband’s work, she promises to sign the necessary paperwork that will keep our lead character in the country and pursuing his dream.
In so many ways, this is a complex film. At its core, it is an immigrant story. It is about passionately chasing your dreams. It is about love, loyalty, and seeing the best in your partner (even if the rest of the world doesn’t see it the same way). This is also a peculiar dark comedy that reminded me of another A24 film, Everything, Everywhere, All at Once. Without a doubt, Tilda Swinton, known for her dramatic work, gets the biggest laughs in the film. Hailed as a Hydra, who can always find something to be disappointed about in others, she is confrontational and downright unbearable.
Alejandro functions as the “Elizabeth whisperer.” He often needs to calm her down and translate her outbursts to those in her crosshairs. Together, they make a comedic duo as they chase down missing art pieces, build a database, and work toward a gallery show.
This isn’t a passive film experience. It demands some engagement, because we don’t honestly reach the showing. If Elizabeth is unable to sell her partner’s paintings, what does this mean for Alejandro? Will he be forced to leave the country and say goodbye to his Hasbro dream? I applaud the filmmakers for keeping the intrigue high.
But this is also a movie with some challenges. For Alegandro and his mother, I would have preferred a deeper and more nuanced backstory. We get plenty of flashbacks between Elizabeth and her partner, but beyond the opening scene, we don't get anything that grounds our lead character. There is also a moment when Elizabeth’s tormenting of others will begin to wear on your nerves. For me, it was at about the 60-minute mark. Based on your level of patience, your results may vary. Finally, this movie functions best as a comedy, but I think it misses some opportunities to round out the characters in some of the film’s more serious moments.
Still, this is a film I would recommend. In a cinematic world struggling to produce adult-oriented comedies, this one satisfies.
