Inspiring Argentine historical drama has smoking, language.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Language
a lot
Language includes "scared s--tless," "s--t," "a--holes," "f--k," "motherf----r," "bulls--t," "d--k," and "bitch." Character gives an obscene hand gesture.
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Most characters smoke cigarettes, nearly all of the time. A parent gives their teenage child a cigarette. Characters drink beer at bars and wine at a party.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Drinking, Drugs & Smoking in your kid's entertainment guide.
Family watches a program on a 1980s Sony TV, used to depict the era.
Positive Messages
a lot
Plenty of examples of great teamwork, perseverance, and courage in the face of serious threats and adversity.
Positive Role Models
a lot
Prosecutor Julio Strassera leads the prosecution against Argentina's former commanders. He shows courage and good leadership skills and humility, listening to advice and guidance from many sources. Luis Moreno Ocampo is the deputy prosecutor. He ignores pressure from his military family and chooses to stand for his principles and justice. Silvia Strassera encourages her husband and protects her family in the face of threats. The young legal team are driven, motivated, and focused. Julio's son and daughter speak to their father in a calm, honest, and assertive way and positively impact his behavior.
Diverse Representations
some
Based on the real-life trial of members of Argentina's former military regime, the movie does a good job of showing what it looks like to tack action for social (and legal) justice. The film features a predominantly Argentine cast with Spanish the language spoken -- English subtitles are available. The main characters are male although there are a number of female characters in supporting roles who are given agency. Young people are shown as capable and are taken seriously. Views from both political sides are heard, although the brutal behavior of the military regime is laid out.
Parents need to know that Argentina, 1985 is a fascinating historical drama based on a trial of members of the country's former military dictatorship, which became known as "The Trial of the Juntas." Prosecutor Julio Strassera (Ricardo Darin) is tasked with bringing Argentina's former fascist dictators to justice and assembles a young team of lawyers to help. Young adults are shown to have drive and professionalism despite lacking experience and all the prosecuting team show great teamwork, leadership, communication, and perseverance. There's no on-screen violence but victims give harrowing accounts of torture and rape. The legal team also receives death threats and a car bomb is detonated. The politics is clearly discussed in a way that those without prior knowledge will keep up. The movie has a lot of cigarette smoking and a few scenes in bars where people drink beer. The language is infrequent but strong, with variants of "f--k" and "s--t" used. The movie is in Spanish with English subtitles available. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
A comical and gripping courtroom drama about a tough topic of international importance.
I did NOT expect this film to be a comedy. I have seen my fair share of films about Latin American military authoritative regimes and their aftermath and the Argentinean atrocities are especially noteworthy in their scope and in the legacy upheld by the Madres de la Plaza de mayo. And although there have been instances of Black comedy in different films, this film was by far the funniest and that is a high compliment. The film does not in any moment sacrifice its connection to the traumatic subject matter that has made up the socio-cultural and political imaginary of Argentina since the military regime fell after the disastrous Maldives war. A courtroom drama that brings into sharp focus how fascism was invited in, operated and was left unchecked and the deadly consequences it had and how Argentina began to claw itself out of the forced disappearances of too many of its population. This film is gripping and prescient without re-harming nor making trauma porn. A must-see film that feels like a documentary of a nation-state's emotional roller coaster.
What's the Story?
ARGENTINA, 1985, tells the true story of the trial of members of the country's military dictatorship regime. Prosecutors Julio Strassera (Ricardo Darin) and Luis Moreno Ocampo (Peter Lanzani) are tasked with convicting the leaders of Argentina's toppled fascist regime with crimes against humanity. With a young team, they must stave off death threats and political opposition to deliver justice for the victims.
Based on a powerful true story, this Argentine political drama has a strong inspirational message and delivers a stark warning against fascism. Argentina, 1985 is also a gripping thriller with well-written characters and excellent performances. A key moment shifts the movie from a steady drama to a vital and relevant thriller. This moment isn't one of the many death threats prosecutor Strassera receives for trying to bring the commanders of a fascist dictatorship to justice. It's a pop song. Until then, the movie is mostly middle-aged men talking in dark wood paneled rooms. When the distinctly 1980s tune plays it brings a whole new focus and realization that this happened in our very recent history. While the film doesn't shy away from Argentina's harrowing past, it's also hopeful, while perhaps also acting as a warning to future generations.
Discuss the strong language used. What did it contribute to the movie?
How was smoking depicted in the film? Do you think attitudes to smoking have changed since when the movie was set? Why, or why why not?
What did you know about Argentina's political history before you watched the movie? How did it compare to your own country? Why is it important to reflect on the past?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Tom Cassidy
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
