Mirage Review – Just Enough Drama To Engage

BOTTOM LINE: Just Enough Drama To Engage

Rating: 2.75/5

What is the Story about?

A particular space-time continuum forming on a stormy night allows two different individuals separated by two and a half decades to connect. Vera Roy (Adriana Ugarte) saves a boy but in the process loses her family. How she gets them back is what the movie is all about?

Performances?

While there are a couple of male leads, it is Vera Roy undoubtedly who is the lead of the movie. She is the central character on which the entire film revolves. Vera has done a great job in providing the necessary emotional anchor the narrative needed. She brings the engaging factor.

The vulnerability and tension mixed with the simple, homely women look that everyone instantly connects to, is the best thing about Vera Roy. The audience relates to her longing. These emotions are brought out well despite the visible lack of depth in writing.

Direction By Oriol Paulo?

Mirage comes from the director Oriol Paulo of The Invisible Guest fame. There is no particular signature visible across the films, but we can feel a certain kind of slickness common in both the outings. Also, there is a murder mystery which is shown in parts similarly.

Mirage is an entirely different movie compared to The Invisible Guest regarding the subject. But, it wouldn’t be a stretch to call the central characters longing for the respective “child” as a familiar motive or trope. It is what it is, present as a common thing, at the very surface level if we leave out the scientific mumbo-jumbo.

Oriol Paulo picks a relatable emotion and spins a yarn around it using an unfamiliar connection. The analogue “TV” and “Stormy Night” connection courtesy space-time continuum is that new aspect. But, scratch that surface, the emotions are the regular, predictable ones. Still, the narrative is engaging for the most part from the start.

It is in the final hour that we start to get uneasy with the narrative running around in loops and nothing exciting happening. The build-up towards the final twist, reveal, and the twist itself lacks the wow factor. Some, if not all, can guess it. The reaction towards that unexpected turn by the character leading to the finale is neatly executed. It created an emotional resonance that keeps the whole narrative afloat.

On the whole, Mirage has a fresh central premise and enough engaging moments to keep one hooked for once. It lacks the depth in writing to give that wow effect that makes a good movie exceptional.

Others Artists?

Mirage has an excellent supporting cast. They all have small but significant parts that keep the cogs of the wheel move forward smoothly. Alvaro Morte starts off well but is related to the backseat while reaching the end. Chino Darin, on the other hand, comes after a while but stays until the end. His graph begins slowly, but peaks at the right moment in the climax. More than the acting, he registers due to his presence. Javier Guttierrez playing Angel is perfect for the part. The rest are apart for their small roles.

Music and other departments?

The music by Fernando Velazquez blends neatly into the narrative without much discontent. The cinematographer Xavi Gimenez creates a remarkable and eerie mood around the storm and television sets in the interior of the house in the past and the present. In general, too, the interior and close environment sequences have been shot well. The editing by Jaume Marti is fine. The writing credits are shared between the director Oriol Paulo and Lara Sendim. Without any doubt, it should have been better. It would have elevated the whole movie from its current stage.

Highlights?

Basic Concept
Casting
Climax

Drawbacks?

Lacks Depth
Pre-Climax
Gets Repetitive

Did I enjoy it?

Yes

Will you recommend it?

Yes

Mirage Review by Siddhartha Toleti

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