Mirage (2018) Movie Review

 

Mirage (Original title: Durante la tormenta) | 2018 | 2h 8m
Genre: Psychological Drama/Supernatural Fantasy/Drama/Fantasy/Mystery/Romance/Thriller | Country: Spain
Director: Oriol Paulo | Writers: Oriol Paulo, Lara Sendim
Cast: Adriana Ugarte, Chino Darín, Javier Gutiérrez
IMDB: 7.4
My Rate: 8/10

Vera, through a television she finds, tries to save a child living in the past in the house they now occupy. However, the future changes, and Vera strives to restore her life with her husband and child by searching for the child she saved.

Warning:

Contains violent scenes, harsh language, suicide, sensual, and sexual content.

 

Synopsis:

In 1989, Nico, who was recording himself playing guitar, suddenly hears a commotion from the house across the street owned by Mr. Prieto. Nico decides to go and check the house. He finds Ms. Weiss, Mr. Prieto’s wife, lying with stab wounds on her body. Nico immediately runs out after seeing Mr. Prieto appear with a bloodied knife in his hand. Nico is then fatally hit by a car passing in front of Mr. Prieto’s house.

In 2014, Vera, along with her child and husband, has just moved into the house formerly occupied by Nico. They accidentally find a television, a tape recorder, and a recording device used by Nico. In the recording, Nico is seen singing while playing his guitar. Everything seems normal until the television suddenly displays news from 1989.

Vera and her husband ignore this, thinking it’s just a technical glitch of the television. They eventually learn Nico’s identity and what happened to him. Aitor, Nico’s friend who is now also Vera’s friend and neighbor, tells her Nico’s story.

While everyone is asleep, Vera hears a sound from the television room. On that stormy night, something beyond logic happens. Vera can communicate with Nico through the camera Nico used. Vera tries to warn Nico not to go to the Prieto house because he will be hit by a car.

The next day, Vera wakes up in a hospital with a changed future. Vera becomes a famous neurologist, which confuses her. Especially when she cannot find her daughter, Gloria, and her husband, David, seems not to recognize her. Vera is then taken to the police station for questioning.

Inspector Leira listens carefully to Vera’s statement and tries to take her to a hospital to check her memory. The results show nothing unusual, but Vera still feels that reality should not be like this. She continues to seek an explanation for what she experienced.

Vera visits her house with David and finds out David is married to his ex-girlfriend. Aitor also does not recognize Vera and claims never to have met her. Vera meets a writer who supposedly knows Nico’s story and asks for an explanation. Vera feels the only thing that can help her is to find Nico.

Will Vera succeed in finding Nico?

 

Review:

Mirage has a quite interesting story idea. The part where Nico tries to meet Vera in his future timeline reminds one of the film Il Mare (2000), where Sung Hyun tries to find Eun-joo in her future timeline. Meanwhile, Vera’s effort to save Nico is reminiscent of The Call (2020), where Seo-yon tries to save a woman living in the past in the same house.

The story idea about time travel inevitably clashes with logic. This film does a good job representing that on screen. The story remains fairly logical, showing several timeline branches created by changes in the past. Although the main character Vera seems to ‘jump’ to a different timeline while retaining memories from the original timeline.

The story is presented systematically despite using a non-linear timeline. Viewers can still follow and understand the storyline well. Background, conflict, and resolution are very well presented.

Character and story backgrounds are built excellently. The story opens by showing Nico’s death in the past. Then Vera and her family are introduced, who accidentally find the television in their house. The stormy night becomes an important part of the story’s development. Each character’s role and function in the story are well explained.

Conflict arises when Vera wakes up in a different timeline. Mixed memories cause internal conflict within Vera, especially with the loss of her beloved child. This issue remains consistent throughout the story, alongside other conflicts like Nico’s problems and her husband. Tension is well conveyed through dialogue and character expressions.

The story’s resolution is also handled well. Character development is clearly visible. The main story goal is achieved and well communicated. The ending delivers what the audience expects.

The acting is quite satisfying, especially from the lead actress Adriana Ugarte. She delivers a stunning performance through her demeanor and expressions. Other actors also perform well without stiffness.

Cinematography, camera movement, and editing harmonize nicely. Every necessary detail is captured and well presented on screen. Even the song choices fit the timeline used.

A minor flaw that feels slightly misplaced is the scene where Nico interrogates Angel Prieto about the murder he witnessed in the past. Nico, who serves as a law enforcer, acts unprofessionally. In that scene, Nico instead talks about how the case eventually affected his life and caused him to be considered mentally ill. That moment feels out of place.

Viewers are also not given clarity about the words adult Nico says to young Nico, which ultimately influence Vera’s life. In my opinion, that is quite important to show, perhaps in the story’s ending. However, it is not too significant overall.

Overall, this film is an interesting watch, especially for filmmakers who enjoy time travel themes.

 

Memorable scene:

Nico tries to help Vera remember precious memories of the life they have lived. Although those memories begin to enter Vera’s mind, she still wants to return to the ‘real’ past memories and reunite with her child. In this scene, we see how each of them values memories and cherishes every life they have lived.

 

Memorable dialogue:

"You have another life, a very real other life"

 

Ending:

Happy Ending

 

Recommendation:

Worth to Watch

 

(Aluna)