Arts & Entertainment

Tango lacks major film fundamentals

By Lindsey Bowers
The Daily Cougar

Assassination Tango is a beautiful movie but, regrettably, it lacks some of the essentials that are fundamental to a great finished product.

For example, the central character, John J. Anderson (Robert Duvall), is not a person with whom the audience can empathize. Any good story has a main character the audience can root for, someone they want to see overcome the conflict.

However, in Tango the leading man is a mob member and hit man living in the Brooklyn, N.Y. area. Anderson, who has excellent shooting skills and years of experience in Latin America, is sent on an important assignment in Argentina.

This exposition sets the stage for an interesting thriller, but itis hard for an audience to fall in love with a killer. Thereis a fundamental conflict in wishing an assassin success.

The next problem is the script. It never fully develops into anything more than a random string of events. This isnit to say that every variation from classic storytelling structure is wrong, but in other such endeavors events are at least connected by a thematic string that eventually leaves the audience with a message to think about. 

The relationship developed between the leading man and the popular tango teacher Manuela, played by Duvallis wife Luciana Pedraza, goes nowhere. Anderson never shows any sign of learning or growth after suffering mental anguish over killing an important diplomat and trying to get out of the country alive.

The metaphor of the tango for life is never explored outside of Andersonis fantasies. The script isnit the only problem, however; editing could have tied this imagery together better.

Despite its lack of key elements, Assassination Tango has something going for it. Manuelais innocent demeanor is a result of Pedrazais lack of film experience, but it is nonetheless charming. Also, Duvall, who won the best leading actor for 1983is Tender Mercies, never fails to give a meritorious performance. Duvall is the reason for this movieis existence. He directed, produced, wrote and starred in the film. 

Assassination Tango is wonderfully directed. The camera work is commendable and the dialogue is natural and believable. However, the constraint of being based on the vision of just one man ­ even one with as much credibility as Duvall ­ is probably the reason the film falls short of its potential.

Assassination Tango

Rated: R

Starring: Robert Duvall, Luciana Pedraza

United Artists

The verdict: Tango has its good moments, but the film as a whole fails to live up to its promise.

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