Problemista

From its fantastical opening set-up, Problemista is a surrealist visual feast that wears its influences on its sleeve. The directorial debut from former Saturday Night Live writer Julio Torres, who also stars, is an ambitious feat. Playing aspiring toy designer Alejandro, who leaves his native El Salvador in pursuit of creative fulfilment in the States, Torres’s performance is imbued with wide-eyed optimism and charm. In one of the film’s best scenes, he channels his neurosis into his toy ideas, including Cabbage Patch Dolls who are plagued with existential dread and rebellious Slinkys that refuse to… slink. Adopting a bizarre West Country accent, Tilda Swinton plays scene-stealing art critic Elizabeth, dishing out cerise-haired Karen-isms as she copes with the loss of her cryogenically frozen husband (a sublime RZA, whose fleeting appearance feels like a missed opportunity).

Part Wes Anderson, part Michel Gondry – with a hefty dose of Pushing Daisies thrown in for good measure – Problemista feels somewhat dated in its twee-stylised approach. With the exception of Swinton’s madcap performance, the actors are stiff in their delivery, seemingly by design in an attempt to cultivate the aforementioned Anderson-esque aesthetic. At times, it’s too self-consciously quirky, flitting between one garish non-sequitur to another. The film suffers from an identity crisis, unsure of whether it’s meant to be a comedy or a meditative drama on the callous treatment of immigrants. It’s when ruminating on the latter that Torres excels, with Alejandro navigating the dystopia of the visa system and resorting to desperate means in his attempts to remain in the US. One can’t help but feel, however, that this was a misfired attempt that would have benefitted from further insight into the systemic bureaucracy and racism of the US immigration system. Blatant symbolism, though well-intentioned, ultimately does the subject matter a disservice.

Earnest in its childlike whimsy, the movie is often guilty of indulging in weird-for-the-sake-of-weird allegorical set pieces. However, Torres displays a commendable directorial competency and flair for bold visual storytelling, making his debut a hopeful prelude to a blossoming career.

Antonia Georgiou

Problemista is released digitally on demand on 8^th August 2024.

Watch the trailer for Problemista here: