No (2012)

Gael García Bernal stars in this political film about the Chilean plebiscite of 1988. The population was asked to vote Yes or No if Augusto Pinochet should remain President of the country. Bernal plays an advertising guru who is asked to use his talents and techniques in making a series of television spots to campaign on the No side. Not only is this an educational experience about a South American historical moment worth knowing about but it’s also a well-acted drama about a man mixing politics with business. My only issue with it is that its pacing is inconsistent making for an almost anti-climactic ending that feels it was supposed to be more exciting. But I can see why it was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film, it is a fascinating story. Grade: B+