‘Sidewalls’ finds two people falling in love … even though they’ve never met

Sidewalls, the new romantic film from Argentina, is one of the most effective relationship movies in years. Its originality is unquestionable, and the two lead actors (Javier Drolas and Pilar López de Ayala) are mesmerizingly believable. But the best thing about Sidewalls (Medianeras in Spanish) is Gustavo Taretto’s direction and screenplay. He’s able to spin a tale that keeps us invested in the story and guessing until the very end. We know they will fall in love before the credits roll, but how they come together keeps us in suspense.

Martín (Drolas) and Mariana (Ayala) live in apartment complexes that face each other. Their lives are connected by concrete and the depressing skyline of Buenos Aires. Rather than meeting in some chance encounter on the street, Taretto keeps them apart, wallowing in boredom and unfulfilled love. Both characters lounge around their apartments, surfing the Internet, cooking meals, thinking about the future. One almost wants to reach through the screen and tell them there’s a nice person just a few feet away.

Mariana has one of those perfect cinematic jobs: She’s in charge of designing windows for a clothing store. So as she moves in and out of relationships, which usually instigate some tears and quirky behavior, Mariana still has the company of her mannequins to keep her sane.

Martín almost never leaves his apartment. He designs web sites for companies and always can be found at his computer. In one montage sequence, we find out he does just about everything over the Internet, never lifting his fingers from the keyboard.

Both characters seem destined for each other, but the screenplay takes them further away before coming together. They both meet other people and work through the monotonous motions of a manufactured relationship. The audience can tell that both Mariana and Martín are dissatisfied with life and the dullness of Buenos Aires. They want out, but don’t have the tools to change the status quo.

Much of the information in Sidewalls is learned through voiceover, which can spell the doom of a cinematic effort, but somehow works nicely for Taretto’s film. Because both of these characters live in their own world, it only make sense that we get inside their head and know their thoughts.

There are few supporting characters in the movie, and the story never takes too many divergent directions. Everything stays finely focused on Mariana and Martín and their march toward knowing each other. They somehow fall in love without even meeting. The fact that everything drips of reality, that these characters feel intricately constructed, is a testament to Taretto’s writing power. He knows the workings of a relationship. He’s comfortable writing for both male and female characters. He shows a sensitivity to his creations.

Sidewalls, which recently arrived on DVD, should be a wakeup call to Hollywood producers that a romantic movie can be made with interesting characters, an engaging plot and satisfying payoff. Everything doesn’t have to be like the usual drivel that hits movie theaters in the United States.

By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com

• Sidewalls

• 2011

• Written by Gustavo Taretto

• Starring Javier Drolas and Pilar López de Ayala

• Running time: 95 minutes

• Rating: