Manuela is looking for work in L.A. She says she's from Argentina, Bolivia or Colombia. She has a video on her phone of a baby - aparently she has left her child behind and headed north to earn money. She is hired as a nanny by Ellen, to look after toddler Alma. Ellen takes off on a work trip for a week, leaving the two behind in the house. The date of Ellen's expected return comes and goes with no sign of her, which is explained at the very end of the film in a 'twist' that in a way was entirely predictable and seemed shallow and rushed. Manuela then has a decision to make about her and Alma's future - culminating in a nicely done final shot.
It has a voyeuristic feel to it. Shots are taken from recorded video footage and lots of scenes are handheld camera which is often close to the subject, making us feel intrusive. At points this aspect reminded me of early passages of Lynch's masterful Inland Empire.
The shooting style and storytelling makes it feel televisual (like the opening instalment of a modern drama miniseries) which does make it lack some cinematic qualities. I liked how it didn't tell the audience how to fee about what happens, it should incite debate.
2.5 out of 5
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