A Perfect Day

A Perfect Day is a 2015 English-language Spanish film, a thought-provoking and emotionally engaging cinematic experience that skillfully intertwines elements of comedy and drama in a war-torn backdrop. Directed by Fernando León de Aranoa, this film stars high-profile actors such as Benicio Del Toro, Tim Robbins, and Olga Kurylenko, all delivering compelling performances that stick in the mind and on the heart of the audience.

The story is set in the Balkans in 1995, at the tail end of the Bosnian War. Not your typical war film, A Perfect Day does not focus on the battle scenes, military tactics, or politics. Instead, it shines light on the rarely seen side of wars that is humanity, highlighting the stories of common people trying to survive the horrific conditions and the aid workers dedicated to alleviating their suffering. The film shows the grim reality of conflict and its aftermath, underscored by a subtle layer of black humor that provides contrast and balance to the narrative.

Del Toro and Robbins play the roles of Mambrú and B, veteran aid workers whose task is to retrieve a corpse from a well to prevent a dangerous water contamination. The corpse, dumped by an unknown person, threatens to poison the water supply if not removed quickly. However, what seems like a simple task on the surface becomes a massive challenge filled with dangerous bureaucracy, land mines and the palpable tension of a war-ravaged land.

Their duo is supplemented by the fresh and wide-eyed French volunteer Sophie, played by Mélanie Thierry who provides an interesting emotional counterpoint to the cynical humor of Mambrú and B. Her character representation is a gentle reminder of the hope and enthusiasm that face the harsh reality of war zones.

Olga Kurylenko features as Katya, Mambrú’s past lover and now a bureaucrat who has arrived to evaluate the efforts and feasibility of the mission in the crisis-stricken area. Katya’s character holds a mirror to the administrative side of war aid, exploring the interplay between on-ground realities and bureaucratic limitations.

This film focuses not on storytelling on a grand scale, but rather on a microcosmic portrayal of a single day in the lives of these humanitarian aid workers. Through characters searching for ropes in a land where even the most basic resources are a luxury, showcasing children who are more comfortable to play with guns than toys, and civilians tired and expectant of perpetual chaos, Aranoa expertly presents the crude truth of war conditions and beyond.

A Perfect Day is more than the visceral scenes of a war-torn land with its looming dangers and heart-tugging misery. It uses the elements of sardonic humor, unexpected emotional depth, and sharp socio-political commentary to convey the complicated reality of life in a conflict zone. The film poetically demonstrates how in the midst of despair and devastation, individuals, with their inherent power of empathy and resilience, can find 'perfect' moments of joy, camaraderie, and human connection.

The desolate yet beautiful landscape and everyday struggles from seeking a decent meal to fretting over a stolen rope have been meticulously captured by the lens of Alex Catalán. Complementing the raw visuals and nuanced narrative is the film’s soundtrack, a mix of classic rock, pop, and Serbian folk music, that could almost make A Perfect Day feel like a road movie in a distinctly war-torn setting.

A Perfect Day cleverly deals with serious themes without being overwhelmingly disturbing or unbearably bleak. It doesn’t shy away from showing the harsh realities of war, yet in its dark, tragic setting, it finds a way to inject dry humor, hope and unexpected joy. Engagingly humanistic with a blend of despair, comedy, and insight, A Perfect Day presents a refreshing perspective of the war genre and leaves the audience with thought-provoking reflections on war, humanity, and hope.