Gigante (2009)
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94% of critics liked it
(16 reviews) -
63% of users liked it
(470 ratings)
A supermarket security guard forms a powerful fixation on the pretty cleaning woman who scrubs the aisles during the graveyard shift in this deeply personal tale of obsession and voyeurism from first-time feature filmmaker Adrian Biniez. When the sun goes down, Jara (Horacio Camandule) clocks in to… More A supermarket security guard forms a powerful fixation on the pretty cleaning woman who scrubs the aisles during the graveyard shift in this deeply personal tale of obsession and voyeurism from first-time feature filmmaker Adrian Biniez. When the sun goes down, Jara (Horacio Camandule) clocks in to monitor the security cameras at a suburban Montevideo supermarket. The job can be pretty dull at times, so in order to keep himself occupied, Jara often passes the time watching videos, doing crossword puzzles, and playing music. One night, as Jara glances at the monitors, pretty cleaning woman Julia (Leonor Svarcas) wanders into frame and the portly security guard is immediately transfixed. With each passing day, Jara's fixation on Julia grows stronger, to the point where he eventually begins following her outside of work, as well. Before long, Jara's entire life is centered on Julia's daily routine; he watches as she lounges on the beach, goes to a movie, and even as she meets with another man. When rumors of layoffs begin circulating around the supermarket and Jara discovers that Julia is one of the workers about to be handed her walking papers, the smitten security guard must choose between letting go of his obsession and laying bare his suppressed feelings for the object of his affections, or remaining silent and letting his one chance at happiness slip away. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Adrián Biniez
- Written By
- Drián Biniez
- Genres
- Drama, Art House & International, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Dec 4, 2009 Limited
- On DVD
- Feb 9, 2010
- Studio
- Film Movement
Critic Reviews
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Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
As with the recent Chilean comedy The Maid, Gigante is a sharply acted piece that presents to the audience several forks in the road by which the main character could choose either to escalate matters, or not.
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Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Going to the movies is, at some level, pure voyeurism -- if they involve people, that is. Transformers don't count. I admire films that consist only or in large part of watching.
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Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
In his feature debut, Biniez could easily be setting in motion a familiar, suspenseful stalker thriller, but thankfully he is much more concerned with exploring the workings of the human heart with a touch of wistfulness and a dash of humor.
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Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
A spin on all the recent films utilizing video and found footage, this comedy from Uruguay has more than a few sweet, well-observed moments.
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Stephen Holden, New York Times
An appealing, gently comedic prologue to a love story.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
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Horacio Camandule
as Jara
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Leonor Svarcas
as Julia
- Ignacio Alcuri
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Fernando Alonso
as Julio
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Diego Artucio
as Omar
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Néstor Guzzini
as Tomás, Tomás, Tom?
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Federico García
as Matias
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Fabiana Charlo
as Mariela
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Ernesto Liotti
as Danilo
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Carlos Lissardy
as Kennedy
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Ariel Cardarelli
as Jara's Chef
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Esteban Lago
as Gustavo
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Nacho Mendy
as Miguel
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Augusto Peloso
as Rojas
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Rafael Sosa Zeballos
as Roquero
- Ariel Caldarelli
- Andrés Gallo
