La dosis

The 2020 Argentinian film, La dosis, is a captivating drama-thriller that balances the fine line between life and death. Directed by Martín Kraut, this spine-chilling movie stars Carlos Portaluppi, Ignacio Rogers, and Lorena Vega. Kraut's ability to craft a suspenseful narrative that pushes the boundaries of ethical dilemmas is evident throughout the film, making it an enthralling watch.

In La dosis, Carlos Portaluppi plays Marcos, an experienced ICU nurse who has worked the graveyard shift at a private clinic for over twenty years. He is dedicated, professional, and adept at managing the challenging environment of an intensive care unit, but beneath his quiet demeanor lie unspeakable secrets. Marcos leads a complicated and isolated life, disconnected from large parts of society, and dedicated to caring for the critically ill.

Ignacio Rogers plays Gabriel, a new, younger nurse who joins the ICU staff and is initially impressed and inspired by Marcos' calm and capable stewardship in such a challenging setting. However, as Gabriel becomes more involved in the workings of the hospital, he uncovers a disturbing trend. Marcos', seemingly benevolent professional facade, hides a much more troubling reality.

Lorena Vega's character aids in shaping the dynamic between Marcos and Gabriel. Vega's character brings an exciting and unexpected dimension to this already compelling tale of morally ambiguous choices and their consequences.

La dosis sets itself apart from typical thrillers, with its backdrop of a medical setting, where the focus is not just about life but also the delicate sphere of death. It explores the grey areas of euthanasia and 'mercy killing,' the moral and ethical dilemma faced by the caregivers of critically ill patients who suffer with no prospect of improvement. It intelligently delves into the exploration of the human capacity to handle power, to understand right and wrong, and depict how decisions can often blur these lines in a real-life scenario.

Without resorting to gratuitous violence or melodrama, it is a gripping exploration of power, morality, and the existential loneliness that can drive individuals towards unsettling choices. Its persistent dark atmosphere, accentuated by an intense and haunting musical score composed by Pedro Onetto, reflects the perpetual tumult that resides within Marcos', whose life is in a state revolving around death and dying.

Carlos Portaluppi's exceptional performance as Marcos is the cornerstone of this movie. His subtle expressions and quiet demeanor brilliantly mask a more profound internal conflict. Ignacio Rogers and Lorena Vega also deliver compelling performances that considerably enhance both the film's tension and emotional depth. Their individual and collective performances make the narrative of La dosis compelling, and its characters believable and real.

Director Martín Kraut creates an authentic, almost claustrophobic, hospital setting that intensifies the film's overall tense atmosphere. The choice of mostly dimly lit clinics and the predominant use of night shifts add to the grim underpinning to the narrative, further enhancing the critical matter of life and death that is constantly on the line.

The screenplay, intriguingly, veers away from overt dramatization, leaning more towards a game of psychology between its characters. This deviation from conventional storytelling approach makes La dosis an intriguing watch. The drama unfolds subtly, almost quietly, but the tension is very much palpable.

In summary, La dosis is a compelling drama-thriller that explores euthanasia’s blurry lines of ethics and morality against a riveting storyline and excellent performances. It leaves its viewers to ponder over themes of life, death, power, moral dilemmas, and the extreme loneliness that can take individuals down the path of unconventional choices. It's a must-watch for those who appreciate film as an art form that encourages dialogue and leaves space for introspection and interpretation.