The Vanished Elephant
Discovery
Dripping with intrigue and style, the classic film noir inspired Vanished Elephant sees first time feature director Javier Fuentes-León deliver the audience a mind bending mystery that will have audiences guessing up to the very end.
Crime novelist and former policeman Edo Celeste (Salvador del Solar) has been mourning his beloved Celia (Vanessa Saba) for 7 years after she vanished without a trace. Everyone involved in the investigation believe Edo innocent of any wrong doing except the newly promoted District Attorney Sanchez (Tatiana Astengo) who may have her won connection to the case. But at the behest of Mara (Angie Cepeda), a widow whose husband died the exact day Celie disappeared, and the discovery of some mysterious photographs Edo might finally be able to find the answer he needs.
It plays out like a classic noir as the puzzle grows deeper and deeper and Edo starts to uncover things he never wanted to know. Solar in fantastic as Edo, our main conduit into the web of deception and his performance grows as the DA cracks down and the bodies start to add up. The supporting cast do fine work as well, but this is really Solar’s film and he shines brightly because of it.
The ending will not satisfy all audiences, as it takes a genre bending turn in the final act, but Solar remains exceptional throughout. Those who the film speaks to, though, are likely to be raving about it as a festival favorite. (Kirk Haviland)
Screens
Monday, September 8th, 9:15pm, Scotiabank 8
Sunday, September 14th, 5:00pm, Scotiabank 7
Thanks to SPiN TORONTO for sponsoring our TIFF 2014 coverage.
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