Fest Track On Sirk TV Film Review: FIFTEEN [SXSW Film - Austin Texas]
"Fifteen" [Midnighter] a horror film with dashes of comedy set around the time of Quincinera for some teens in Argentina knows what it wants to be but uses a rapid fire set up that eventually goes nuts but doesn't account for really any consequences. The project should actually be known in English purely as "Quince" because it is about that rite of passage...and most English speaking audiences get what that is. Ligia (Greta Marti) and Mayte (Macarena Oz) are two misfit girls who want to enjoy their fun teenage years and just being silly...but they are not the cool kids by any extension of the word. They are outsiders relegated by the head Mean Girl Genoeva (Aminta Ireta) who either wants to make them suffer or make herself look like a saint. All their friends call them lesbians but they are the only true friends. They like boys but that is not in their path. Ligia has the eye of a local delivery boy but even as that comes to bear, something goes inevitably wrong. The twist element is not really explained beyond a manhole and some prosthetics later. The best explanation which could have been more expounded upon would have given the film a little more weight. This missed opportunity involved a woman in a market (a psychic of sorts) who more understands and explains what they are dealing with. It is used as a plot ploy but could have been more.
The reason the delivery of it was off in that some occult stuff that is seemingly important is never explained. There is also the aspect of the delivery boy and that need a little more backstory. Granted the film is not about him but it helps in understanding what happens to Ligia. The build up (after she gets pregnant) is trying to fix the problem and yet the terror inside won't let her. This causes an interesting blend of horror and comedy in a subject space (especially in one hospital scene) where that could be difficult to operate in...but it does work to a point. The changes in Ligia are an acting challenge and Marti does an interesting job alternating the tones especially since her loyalty depending on danger wanted or not can switch on a dime. The final showdown as it were at Geno's Quince is meant to be joyous and yet (as a Midnighter) one knows where it will likely go. The film doesn't skimp on that action but also doesn't make it so horrific that the comedy can't come through. Ultimately the film is tragic and ironic at the same time because people just do what they do...and sometimes just don't listen. B-
By Tim Wassberg
