- Actors: Benicio Del Toro, Tim Robbins
- Director: Fernando León de Aranoa
- Format: Color, NTSC, Widescreen
- Language: English
- Region: Region 1
- Number of discs: 1
- Rated: R
- Studio: MPI HOME VIDEO
- Release Date: July 19, 2016
- Run Time: 106 minutes
The ironically
titled A Perfect Day is single-minded
in its approach to show a 24-hour period in the life and efforts of a group of
combat zone aid workers, for better or worse. The simple premise allows ample
opportunity to show the realistic frustrations of battling bureaucracy and
bullish locals in the attempt to accomplish simple humanitarian goals. This is
done with an almost whimsical tone that allows wit to carry the narrative
without losing sight of the gravity of war. Even though there is drama and
suspense, the dry humor consistently sets the tone for a film about inaction.
Set “somewhere
in the Balkans” in 1995, Mambrú (Benicio del Toro) leads a team of
humanitarians in efforts to make a difference. Over the course of a
24-hour-period, these efforts mostly involve attemps to remove a dead body from
a small local well. The team includes naïve newcomer Sophie (Mélanie Thierry),
wisecracking veteran B (Tim Robbins), and their translator Damir (Fedja
Stukan). They are also joined by Katya (Olga Kurylenko), sent in to evaluate
the team’s efforts. The fact that she has the ability to shut them down is
further complicated by an affair Katya and Mambrú had during a past mission.
This also provides the film’s most unnecessary sub-plot, dragging an otherwise
quick-paced screenplay into relationship conversations which seem to go
nowhere.
Much of the film
is dedicated to the single task of removing the corpse from the well before the
water supply for the area is completely contaminated. This requires rope, which
proves difficult to come by in a combat zone, sending the team on a series of
wild goose chases. Along the way they pick up a local child willing to help,
though he is in more need of assistance than they are. The atrocities of war
are briefly addressed, but the film remains mostly dedicated to the portrayal
of unsuccessful humanitarian efforts from the team. Regardless of how much
their wheels spin, not much progress is made over the 24-hour period with
Mambrú and his team.
A Perfect Day is one of the few war
films unafraid to avoid action, teasing the possibility of explosions without
any pyrotechnics to pump up the narrative. It is a rare movie where guns are
seen but never used, bombs are a threat discussed but not experienced, and
death is present but kept in the background. With a dead body at the center of
the plot, we are aware of the gravity of the situation while the jaded humor of
the humanitarians provides levity to the situation. It is a cinematic balancing
act that mostly works thanks to a clever screenplay and understated
performances from the lead actors.
The Blu-ray
release of A Perfect Day comes with a handful of featurettes, which includes a
generic making-of video. Also included are interviews with key cast and crew
members, and the film’s trailer.
Entertainment Value:
7.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7.5/10
Historical
Significance: 5/10
Special Features: 6/10
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