El asadito (2000) User Reviews

Typical argentine men meeting

[Manu-29 · 7/10 · 1 July 2002]

This movie shows the typical things that happen when a group of men get together to enjoy of a barbacue (asadito) in Argentine. It shows the discussions, the jokes, their dreams, their problems, etc. The best is that is well reflected. It's a whole day friends are spending together in the last day of the century. It really worth watching it.

if you have been in one...

[miguelfeyfer · 7/10 · 27 June 2007]

El asadito can be translated as "the little barbecue", but it is nothing like that. Is much more than just a movie for those who have been in more than one meeting like this. You can recognize the characters one by one, you can even imagine the words you would have said in almost every situation. That is not a simple thing to achieve, and Postiglione did it. The story goes only one step further than a lot of "asaditos" in which I have been. I like it, even when I can't say if it is because of everything that I just said or because of the movie itself. Maybe it's only me, but other people can surely tell.The heat and the sun, the wine and the meat are the same, the drama almost.

Good movie with strong ending

[hof-4 · 7/10 · 16 December 2011]

"El Asadito" means "the little barbecue". Of course, "little" is understood humorously; the barbecue is gargantuan and it extends from December 30, 1999 at 11.15 AM to December 31 at 6.00 AM (the actual filming was done in 2000). The movie shows conversations between a group of friends; at first (as in real life) rambling, unfocused and occasionally very funny, revealing the characters' likes and dislikes. As the evening advances, questions motivated by the imminent end of the second millennium surface: what happened during the last years, what are the characters now, what is their future, what happened in Argentina in the recent past.

All of this is intensely interesting, especially if you lived in Argentina and are familiar with the local slang. However, a demolishing punch is delivered near the end of the movie; there is an act of revenge (deliberated, or perhaps improvised) that is chilling, all the more for not being violent. One is left imagining the future of this group; it will change, but in which way?

Reportedly, this movie was filmed by director Gustavo Postiglione in two days (almost in real time) in 16 mm. Acting by nonprofessionals is excellent (maybe with a hint of self consciousness here and there). Pace never lags, and cinematography is very good.

The movie was nominated for two Silver Condor Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Film Editing in 2001.