The Shadows of Time

Read Time:4 Minute, 22 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
Close Your Eyes (Cerrar los ojos)
–

Genre: Drama
Year Released: 2023
Runtime: 2h 49m
Director(s): Victor Erice
Writer(s): Victor Erice, Michel Gaztambide
Cast: Manolo Solo, José Coronado, Ana Torrent, Petra Martínez, María León, Mario Pardo, Helena Miquel, Antonio Dechent
Language: Spanish with English subtitles
Where To Watch: open in select theaters now

RAVING REVIEW: Víctor Erice triumphantly returns to the director's chair with CLOSE YOUR EYES, a film that weaves a complex narrative exploring the delicate themes of memory, identity, and the ceaseless passage of time. This endeavor features Miguel Garay as Manolo Solo, a once-acclaimed filmmaker who has retreated from the limelight and embraced a serene life away from the camera. The disappearance of his friend and lead actor during the shoot of their project, “The Farewell Gaze,” leaves their film unfinished and shrouded in mystery. Decades later, the revival of this cold case through a documentary prompts Miguel to revisit and confront the ghosts of his past.

Set in the bustling streets of modern-day Madrid, CLOSE YOUR EYES charts Miguel's introspective journey as he reconnects with people from his past, including former lovers and his friend's daughter, Ana (Ana Arenas.) This journey is about piecing together the events that led to this disappearance and understanding the profound impact these events have had on Miguel's life and psyche.

Erice’s storytelling prowess shines as he intricately weaves the past with the present, illustrating memory's malleable and elusive nature. Within the main narrative, “The Farewell Gaze” acts not merely as a backdrop but as a poignant symbol, blurring the lines between reality and fiction. It underscores cinema’s profound ability to capture, preserve, and breathe new life into our deepest emotions.

The pacing of CLOSE YOUR EYES is meticulously crafted, allowing the narrative to unravel slowly and inviting viewers to immerse themselves deeply in its reflective themes. While daunting to some, the film's considerable runtime facilitates a deeper connection with its philosophical explorations, offering a genuine challenge to engage with the film beyond mere entertainment.

Visually, the film is nothing short of poetic. Erice uses chiaroscuro lighting (an artistic technique that uses contrasting light and shadow to create the illusion of three-dimensional objects and to emphasize essential figures in a painting or drawing. The term comes from the Italian words chiaro, meaning "light," and curo, meaning "dark.") and precise framing to paint each scene, effectively capturing the emotional landscape of his characters. Intimate close-ups pull the audience closer to the characters' anguish and contemplation, enhancing the film's contemplative mood and establishing it as a visually captivating experience.

One of the standout aspects of CLOSE YOUR EYES is its exploration of the intricate relationship between memory and the cinematic medium. Erice portrays cinema as a time capsule, adept at capturing fleeting moments and reviving them, thus allowing audiences to revisit and engage with their pasts. This meta-cinematic narrative elevates the film from a mere story to a reflective discourse on the art of filmmaking itself as a preservation of human experience.

The performances, particularly by Solo and José Coronado, are impactful. Solo captures the essence of a man haunted by his past yet compelled towards resolution. At the same time, Coronado infuses the narrative with layers of complexity, embodying themes of loss and absence that resonate throughout the film.

CLOSE YOUR EYES is a meditation on how our memories mold our identities and perceptions of time. It challenges its audience to ponder their pasts and the marks they leave on our present lives. As a capstone to Erice’s illustrious career, the film marries his lifelong concerns with bold, innovative storytelling techniques. This film entertains and engages, offering a rich base for those willing to explore its paced narrative and dense composition. Erice's return to filmmaking enriches the cinematic landscape, ensuring his voice remains pivotal in discussing the profound layers of human experience and the enduring impact of our histories.

Please visit https://linktr.ee/overlyhonestr for more reviews.

You can follow me on Letterboxd, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. My social media accounts can also be found on most platforms by searching Overly Honest Reviews.

I’m always happy to hear from my readers; please say hi or send me any questions about movies.

[photo courtesy of FILM MOVEMENT]

DISCLAIMER:
At Overly Honest Movie Reviews, we value honesty and transparency. Occasionally, we receive free items for review, including DVDs, Blu-rays, CDs, Vinyl, Books, etc. We assure you that these arrangements do not influence our reviews, as we are committed to providing unbiased and sincere evaluations. We aim to help you make informed entertainment choices, regardless of our relationship with distributors or producers.

Amazon Affiliate Links:
Additionally, this site contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may receive a commission. This affiliate arrangement does not affect our commitment to honest reviews and helps support our site. We appreciate your trust and support in navigating these links.