Meet the world’s most unlikely spy
The Mole Agent (E, 90 mins) Directed by Maite Alberdi Reviewed by James Croot ★★★★1⁄2
Meet Sergio Chamy – the world’s most unlikely spy. He’s the recently widowed Chilean octogenarian who answered a newspaper classified-based call for a retired, independent, discreet elderly male who is competent with technology.
After a successful interview with the hiring private investigator Romulo Aitken, Sergio is briefed on the actual details of his covert mission.
At the request of one of Romulo’s clients, Sergio needs to become a resident at the San Francisco Retirement Home for at least three months, so he can report on the ongoing care of the client’s mother Sonia Perez.
Of the firm belief that her mother is being mistreated and even robbed, the client wants Sergio to detail anything that doesn’t look right.
However, despite Romulo’s exhortations that, above all, Sergio needs to be subtle about his surveillance, it isn’t long before the latter becomes the centre of attention. His lucidity and charm make him a target for some of the lonelier female residents, one even convinced that they should marry, despite having only just met.
The one person he does need to get close to though, ‘‘looks at me as if I’m the boogeyman’’. But, while he’s having little or no success in terms of his primary mission, his snooping uncovers some disturbing sights and practices – and a serial criminal.
Nominated for best documentary at this year’s Academy Awards, The Mole Agent might blur the lines of reality and drama (the film-makers admit they ‘‘cast’’ Sergio and some scenes were staged), but that doesn’t stop it from being terrific, thoughtprovoking entertainment.
Naturalistic sound and herkyjerky footage from Sergio’s spy camera heighten the tension, especially when he comes close to being exposed, and his acceptance by the rest of his new community offers plenty of warm-hearted feels.
But this also has a message to impart: that caregivers are doing their best and, just maybe, families should re-think abandoning their elders and make more time in their busy lives for them.
Director Maite Alberdi has a history of making ‘‘political’’ tales about specific communities (some of her previous subjects have included a group of friends with Down syndrome and a papal visit at a time of religious crisis) and this makes its points in an inventive, endearing and, sometimes, directly challenging way.
An undercover operation both Donal Macintyre and Sacha Baron Cohen would be proud of.
In Spanish with English subtitles.