WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Mi familia. My family. To relish time spent with those who, we hope, are nurturing and raising us as children in the right ways is akin to total bliss and something which we therefore anticipate when opportunity arises. Having a home that offers stability and this deep connection with one’s parents should never be taken for granted and highly missed when circumstances take us away from it. But, what happens when this “separation” has BECOME the norm–a norm that desperately needs to be altered. For an 11-year old boy named Fer (Maximiliano Rojas) this particular situation is what he faces even as he and his parents Fernando (Leopoldo Serrano) and Natalia (Alejandra Herrera) are taking a MUCH needed vacation to a local resort outside of Bogota in order to actually spend the moments together. But with his father insisting on conducting business rather than what he promised, will the serenity of a getaway turn into a time of strife instead?
Next, my Mind:
Broken promises, the potential deconstruction of a marriage, the pressure of being in over one’s head with the wrong people, and the weighty impact it all has upon a young boy’s heart, spirit, and desire to simply have his family back in a far better place forms the core thematic foundation in this Oscar qualifying short film effort from writer/director/co-producer Duván Duque Vargas, producers Toufik Ayadi, Christophe Barral, Franco Lolli, and Capucine Mahé along with co-producers Alvaro Vasquez and Cesar Rodriguez that delivers a seriously affecting and wholly convincing portrait of just how fractured the institution of family can be when the factors involved pull it apart further and further based on the choices being made. The sheer fact the the notion of one’s job ultimately being the primary source of said contention honestly echoes so much of what we hear about in our own country, much less that it is really a worldwide problem–WORK ending up first.
Here, that illustration gets firmly implanted in the viewer’s mind through a narrative which sees it all through what is arguably and continually one of the most compelling perspectives to see life through–the eyes of a child. With his family going on what we can surmise is a greatly required escape from an already growing rift in their family harmony, the boy’s yearning to spend time relaxing and bring free of it all gets upended when his father does the opposite of what he apparently promised and still seeks to do business at the resort rather than put it behind him, subsequently creating an even wider gap between himself, his wife, and son. This alone is a heartbreaking reality to witness in any manner, as the reality of this scenario is all too common sadly, and the sacrifices being made by those trapped under the decisions being made only makes it that much more disheartening to witness when it does tear the fabric of familial peace to shreds.
But, this narrative also adds another, more nefarious element to the concept that emphatically showcases, even if by a mix of conjecture and conspicuous revelation in conversations depicted, the dangers of recklessness in mindset and wrongly directed concern for one’s family when financial gain and/or “need” becomes the driving force behind it, on top of likewise giving us the actuality of being in the figurative bed with less than scrupulous individuals. Even when the voices of FAR better reason make every attempt to sway us away from it all while hoping to salvage the more important bonds in play, the film unflinchingly portrays how stress-induced panic and hopelessness still tends to win out. The narrative does provide glimpses of what we are deeply trusting is the road to redemption, but whether events end UP on that path is quite definitively presented through a stirring finale, a cap on what has already been an unavoidably emotional and volatile story.
Rojas, as is the case with many a child actor having to play exceptionally mature roles, completely does the film and its themes/messages justice through his performance as Fer, an innocent and carefree young boy who’s just wishing to enjoy time away at a nearby resort with his parents, finding additional happiness in a specific assurance his father has made in taking the family on the trip. Yet, it doesn’t take long at all upon arrival before it becomes undeniably evident his father won’t be honoring that agreement, and while Fer tries his best to mingle with other kids and have the fun he wants, it is overtly clouded over by the building disappointment and stormy atmosphere his father’s distracted judgement has elicited. The raw emotional roller coaster ride Fer is experiencing is very aptly conveyed by Rojas throughout, the credibility of the character’s state of being never in question thanks to the young actor’s palpable presence on screen.
Serrano beautifully embodies the quietly simmering and slowly coming unhinged temperament of a man battling doubts and the uncertainty of what the future holds through his role as Fer’s father Fernando, an obviously hard-working and dedicated business man who’s finally come to his sense and takes his family on a necessary vacation to see things unsettled BE settled–or so it appears. But, despite the happy face he’s putting on, it quickly vanishes with the resort’s owner who Fernando is dealing with steals him away into the shady world under the surface of luxury. Even as Fernando watches this rip into the patience of his wife and the veiled but still evident let down his son displays, will that be enough for Fernando to re-assess what’s most important and take that road? Serrano navigates his character’s emotional upheavals with energy and passion, and becomes that character you might end up loving to hate. An excellent turn by the actor.
The absolutely stunning Herrera does much more than capture you with her natural beauty, delivering a fantastically executed performance herself through her turn as Fer’s mother Natalia, a doting parent who’s initial and soon sole priority is the welfare of her son and his happiness as they come on the holiday the family so genuinely needs. Also believing that her husband will remain true to his commitment to BE engaged with them, he soon strays from that the very first evening together, and as he drifts away more and more, Natalia’s intolerance and dissatisfaction with Fernando erupts, threatening to undermine their union even as she hurts so plainly for Fer not having the time he was looking forward to. Can Natalia BE the voice that changes things, or will her initial convincing only breed more estrangement for her and Fer from Fernando? Herrera’s performance is a deft mix of understatement and blatant intensity that befits the character SO well.
Primary supporting roles arrive first through Peter Schmitt as William, the owner of the resort and a businessman that Fernando is in league with for a pending deal with, though William’s underlying intentions and backing for all he offers is more than obvious as to whom he’s truly serving and, by default and cunning, has dragged (or NOT!) Fernando along with him into that realm. Alexander Rodriguez is Alex, the resort’s primary host who ushers Fernando and his family into their bountiful accommodations while also being a part of his boss’ schemes and ventures that allow them the glamour around them to exist. Sandra Puentes plays Katia, William’s better half who even does her level best to keep Fernando’s family preoccupied with random conversation and topics while the real reason for her man’s wining and dining them plays out, much to the chagrin of Natalia, though Katia just keeps on trying to keep things lively and positive for the sake of William’s intentions.
Additional supporting roles are made through Isabel Sofia Cristancho, Juan Jose Montes, Samuel Antonio Salazar, and Sara Camila Cocunubo. So, in total, “All Inclusive” rides smoothly, effectively, and with undisguised candidness on a wave of provocative truth through its unshakable exposé on what occurs when work is king, family is second, and the once untarnished impeccability of a child’s viewpoint and hopes are drastically changed forever when a parent he respects cannot hold to what was guaranteed and the trusted infrastructure of what he believed in has been shattered, possibly beyond repair.
STAR RATING (out of 5):
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
