On Probation
On Probation
| 29 September 2005 (USA)
On Probation Trailers

Mariano is a psychologist who must fulfill community service after losing a lawsuit by a traffic accident. He is forced to provide therapeutic support to Alfredo, a policeman depressed over his wife cheating on him. Mariano is then accidentally involved in a double homicide investigation being conducted by Alfredo.

Reviews
Nonureva Really Surprised!
Tacticalin An absolute waste of money
Portia Hilton Blistering performances.
Billy Ollie Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
jednostavno-ja I never write reports and this is my first one, for a reason. I've watched many movies and none of them made me write any review. There are no spoilers.BEFORE --- watching a movie I expected an intelligent psychological drama containing humor. And that was in the beginning. What I got later was so much different from this, and it was still in a good way. What turned the film upside down was the ACTION that was added to it, but then, the REALISTIC side of the film was fading out (more about the policeman). PLOT --- If one was watching it while not really paying attention to the plot you could say it's realistic, but it wasn't fully anymore. That was the only minus, but as this is not a documentary it doesn't matter. Moreover, the not-realistic later part of the movie had the great IDEAS. The idea of – FRIENDSHIP as itself, despite of the environment saying bad things; the idea of the LIARS, hypocrites, sanctimonious people around you who are lying to you in the face and your decision what will you do about it; the most important! the idea of the EVIL around you, people accepting it as something normal and your decision what will you do about it. I know all this could sound maybe sound too philosophical for one movie, but that what it was about, right? The psychological part of the movie was actually the whole movie itself.END --- when Diaz felt relieved and positive again, it wasn't because he spent the time with the psychologist as one short free time they were having together and talking, but it was about him REALIZING the meaning of life. How it wasn't just about living as surviving or trying to survive, or even having a family or a work. It was about realizing the VALUE OF ONE MAN'S LIFE and the GOODNESS the human life could spread – here, by saving the policeman's life because it is worth. The psychologist realized Diaz was on the good side, being honest and FAIR, and even if he was the only good one in the police station, the psychologist decided to turn against everyone to help him.Those ideas make the film very valued in my sense. The acting was marvelous with putting an emphasize on Diego Peretti who was the only unique character in the film. He was the only positivity in the whole film, who would tell the most serious characters in the movie not to be so serious because it's not worth anything; who was able to tell the most dangerous serial killers not to say bad words when they were threatening him; who helped a good friend – in the hypothetical fiction, Diaz could be the last good person in the world, and the question is – would we rather stay in the hypothetically whole evil world by continuing to live OR to save the last fair person who has that value? I recommend the movie to everyone.
David Traversa Impeccable production characterizes this jewel of a film. The photography, as realistic as present technique allows it to be, introduces us in intimate contact to this couple --the policeman and his psychoanalyst-- so cozily that we feel we are there with them, following their casual conversation in the car, few minutes into the movie, while looking at a lovingly photographed Buenos Aires on hand picked locations as if we are just seeing a background on an apparently casual route.The camera movements are awesome. Its smoothness throughout the whole movie makes of every scene a natural happening helped by a precise use of lighting, either for the day scenes or the night time.What can we say about the director --Damián Szifron-- and his actors? they are a sheer joy in every scene --not only Diego Peretti and Luis Luque, the above mentioned couple of psychoanalyst and patient --every single actor in this movie is role perfect, delivering their lines with a naturalness that was absolutely unknown in the historical Argentinian films. There are many clever lines, in the comedy scenes and in the dark --very dark-- serious moments, specially with that cameo intervention of Gabriela Iscovich --the psychoanalyst wife-- in a hilarious role.A superbly entertaining film with a bit of everything, comedy, noir, mystery, violence, all done with that Argentinian flavor unique to this country, like that scene in the policeman car, where the three guys are drinking Mate --the Argentinian familiar drink par excellence-- as if drinking Mate in a police car was a natural, everyday situation.Excellent film from any point of view.
Eduardo Martin de Urraza This is a very funny movie, easy to watch, that entertains you almost all the time. The work of the Director is recognizable and the type of humor is his trademark. The movie is a typical police partners history like lethal weapon, but the jokes and comedy are of Argentinian sort. The twist is that one of them is a psychologist played by Peretti and has to go with detective Diaz (played by Luque) on his assignments while he also assist him (Diaz is troubled because his wife cheated on him). Some of the dialogs are hilarious worldwide: understandable and laughable anywhere. Is very good overall, it would deserved an 8, but I rated 7 because it gets a little down at the end. On a personal remark I must add that is a "bravo" for Argentinian Filmmakers, considering the little good is coming lately.
Lucia Fernandez Very intelligent humor Excellent performing I can't believe how people could think it deserves a 1/10! I hope this movie will be shown everywhere so everyone can enjoy it If you ever have the opportunity, watch it... don't miss it There is a part when the principal actors are driving and singing "Happy birthday" and "el payaso plinplin" (an Argentinian song for kids (I think... it could also be south American, I'm not sure)). This two songs that have the same melody... but people don't usually realize that... it's just grate! I tried to write this in both Spanish and English, because it's an Argentinian movie... but the page wouldn't allow me :( Hope you enjoy it!