El Amateur

El Amateur is a gripping Argentinian drama film, directed by Nestor Frenkel and released in the year 1999. Headlined by Mauricio Dayub, Pedro Heredia, and Vando Villamil, this engaging narrative delves into the themes humanity, resilience, and the craving for self-expression through art and creativity.

Prompted by the compelling appeal of true-life narratives, the film centers around a tape recorder operator, Jorge Masetti, a character brought to life by the exceptional acting prowess of Mauricio Dayub. Masetti is a blue-collar worker who listens to the bustling sounds of the Buenos Aires cityscape from his secluded basement office. Amid the cacophony of noises recorded for the unnamed bureaucratic function, he stumbles upon more melodic sounds that trigger his artistic inner self. These peculiar auditory instances, initially deemed as background noise during the transcription processes, gradually become his source of inspiration.

Jorge, whose life has been classified by routine, monotony, and the strict demands of his office environment, sees an opportunity to unleash his creativity through these unconventional sounds. Thinking beyond his conventional requirements, he begins an audacious project of compiling a symphony from the myriad of city sounds recorded on his tape.

Pedro Heredia 'El Granaino' brilliantly portrays Jorge's supportive friend, Luis. He skeptically but loyally assists Jorge in his adventurous endeavor, mirroring the audience's initial doubt towards Jorge's ambitious vision.

Vando Villamil, meanwhile, masterfully shapes the character of Martin, who initially begins as an obstacle to Jorge's creative pursuit, emphasizing the societal impositions suffocating artistic innovation and individuality. However, as the narrative progresses, Martin’s perspective towards Jorge's project evolves, reflecting the transformative power of art and perseverance, even in the most unlikely scenarios.

Director Frenkel’s unique approach in El Amateur not only showcases an artfully captured cityscape but also delves into deep themes of human resilience, aspiration, and personal ambition in an otherwise mundane existence. The tape machine, initially an instrument of Jorge's mundane employment, gradually becomes a symbol of his defiance against the uniformity of his life, portraying the power of creativity that can aesthetically evolve a quotidian artefact into an orchestra of his desires.

The film skillfully uses sound as an intricate part of the narrative, almost acting as a character itself, resonating the highs and lows of the protagonist's journey. Jorge's day-to-day life is underscored by the beautifully interwoven soundscape of urban life - from the muffled cacophony of the telephone lines and bustling restaurant kitchens to the monotonous hum of his office.

From the portrayal of Jorge's environment to the performance of the actors to the controlling and design of the sound, El Amateur artfully draws real-world parallels, showcasing how life’s ordinary facets can prove to be a canvas of extraordinary expressions.

The city sounds that form the basic fabric of the narrative underscore the life of Buenos Aires and its inhabitants. This connection ties the individuals and the city together into a harmonious symphony, albeit a noisy one, mirroring the beautiful complexity and diversity of urban life.

The movie subtly emphasizes the cityscape as more than just a backdrop, with each noise subtly characterizing a fragment of its vibrant, bustling atmosphere. By the end, the city transforms into an open orchestra, with each noise contributing its distinct melody, meticulously collected by Jorge, the quasi-music conductor in his strange, lovable pursuit.

El Amateur truly testifies to the adage that 'one man's noise is another man's symphony,' chronicling Jorge Masetti's transformation from a puny tape recorder operator into a passionate yet misunderstood visionary.

This powerful motion picture is sure to engross viewers, leaving them rooting for the protagonists till the end, imbibed with a sense of curiosity that transcends the cinematic screen. The film is an ode to the indestructible human spirit, the beauty of mundane life, and the extraordinary symphony of common noises. Above all, 'El Amateur' salutes the unnamed artists, the amateurs who can find art and create beautiful symphonies amidst the most unexpected, ordinary sonance.