Film Review: Taut, Witty ‘No’ Celebrates Unorthodox Marketing of Freedom

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CHICAGO – The controversy swirling around Pablo Larraín’s Oscar-nominee “No” is typical of the outrage garnered by many a historical drama. Since the film focuses solely on one crucial segment of the activism that ousted Chilean dictator Pinochet during the 1988 plebiscite, some viewers will complain that not every hero in the tale is represented. Of course, that’s what encyclopedias are for.

HollywoodChicago.com Oscarman rating: 4.0/5.0
Rating: 4.0/5.0

Just as Spielberg’s “Lincoln” brilliantly explored the complicated, occasionally deceptive efforts that were vital in achieving slavery’s abolishment with the passage of the 13th Amendment, Larraín’s “No” focuses on the marketing campaign that built support for the anti-Pinochet movement. Both films are invaluable portraits of tenacious trailblazers who were able to win over the hearts and minds of timid voters. Yet whereas “Lincoln” was shot in widescreen, painterly compositions, “No” adopts the exact style of the game-changing ads its film celebrates.

StarRead Matt Fagerholm’s full review of “No” in our reviews section.

One of the complaints some Chileans have had with the picture is that its blending of archival footage and staged scenes is so seamless, the line separating fact from fiction is hopelessly blurred. Yet the film makes no real attempt at passing itself off as a documentary. The casting of world-renowned actor Gael García Bernal in the lead role is a blatant indicator that historical accuracy will not be the film’s chief goal. Loosely based on Antonio Skármeta’s play, “The Plebiscite,” Bernal stars as advertising executive René Saavedra, a composite character molded after publicist José Manuel Salcedo and ad exec Enrique García (both men make brief cameos in the film). After Pinochet is forced to authorize a vote on the extension of his rule, each side is granted 15 minutes of air time a day to televise their campaign ads. Leaders of the NO campaign make a bold choice in recruiting Saavedra to assist them in gaining the support of an electorate too scared to vote against such a formidable monster. Pinochet’s atrocious blood-soaked history of violence against his own people certainly gives the NO group enough ammunition to fuel their dissent, but Saavedra’s familiarity with American marketing techniques ends up taking the campaign in an entirely different direction.

‘No’ stars Gael García Bernal, Alfredo Castro, Antonia Zegers, Luis Gnecco, Marcial Tagle, Néstor Cantillana, Jaime Vadell and Pascal Montero It was written by Pedro Peirano and directed by Pablo Larraín. It opened March 8th at the Landmark Century Centre Cinema. It is rated R.

StarContinue reading for Matt Fagerholm’s full “No” review.

Gael García Bernal stars in Pablo Larraín’s No.
Gael García Bernal stars in Pablo Larraín’s No.
Photo credit: Tomás Dittburn, Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics

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