Problemista

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Problemista
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJulio Torres
Written byJulio Torres
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyFredrik Wenzel
Edited by
  • Sara Shaw
  • Jacob Schulsinger
Music byRobert Ouyang Rusli
Production
company
Distributed byA24
Release dates
  • March 14, 2023 (2023-03-14) (SXSW)
  • March 1, 2024 (2024-03-01) (United States)
Running time
98 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$12 million[2]
Box office$2.3 million[3][4]

Problemista is a 2023 American surrealist comedy film written, directed, and produced by Julio Torres. It stars Tilda Swinton, Torres, RZA, Greta Lee, Catalina Saavedra, James Scully, and Isabella Rossellini. The film follows a struggling aspiring toy designer from El Salvador who starts working for an erratic art-world outcast in New York City, hoping to stay in the country and realize his dream before his work visa expires.

It had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 14, 2023, and was released in the United States on March 1, 2024, by A24.

Plot

During Alejandro's childhood in El Salvador, he and his mother create various imaginative creations, with him being his mother's finest. His mother recounts a recurring dream of him venturing into a mysterious cave, symbolizing his arrival to the unknown, otherwise the United States.

In the present day, Alejandro resides in Bushwick, sharing an apartment with two roommates, including the vivacious party-lover Spray. Despite his dreams to be a wondrous toy maker at Hasbro, offering ideas like a Barbie with crossed fingers or Cabbage Patch Kids with smartphones, Alejandro faces an automated rejection email from the toy giant.

Left with very few options, Alejandro acquires a job as a minder at FreezeCorp, where he is tasked with overseeing the cryogenically frozen artist Bobby. A supervisor spots him "tampering" with one of the machine's vital plugs, which lands him an immediate termination from his manager, Sharon, despite any damage to Bobby's health. A chance encounter with Bobby's eccentric and demanding art critic wife, Elizabeth, leads to their proposal to work together. She tasks him with collecting Bobby's 13 egg paintings for an upcoming exhibition, where she promises sponsorship upon completion. However, Alejandro is informed he cannot collect any form of payment until Elizabeth becomes his sponsor, which demeans the show's possible success due to lack of funds.

Navigating the complexities of immigration bureaucracy, symbolized by surrealistic exchange rooms, Alejandro faces deportation if he fails to find a sponsor within 30 days. Desperate for payment to cover the extreme visa fees, Alejandro turns to a whimsically presented Craigslist, taking several sketchy opportunities and jobs. He continues juggling the perplexing jobs for cash, even lending his room out and becoming a cleaning boy. He also discovers through social media that Hasbro has taken his design ideas for profit, particularly the Cabbage Patch Kids line.

As Alejandro grapples with these challenges, Elizabeth introduces another assistant, the privileged Bingham, further jeopardizing Alejandro's position. Alejandro reconciles Elizabeth with Dalia, a student artist who possesses Bobby's final egg painting. Elizabeth, jealous of Dalia's relationship with Bobby, had previously written a scathing review of Dalia's work, negatively impacting her career. Alejandro writes a heartfelt apology letter on Elizabeth's behalf, leading to Dalia's tearful acceptance and release of the painting.

Alejandro secures a solo show for Bobby at a Roosevelt Island gallery Elizabeth despises and chastises. However, she begrudgingly agrees and they are both disappointed to learn they are only afforded a singular wall. A frustrated Elizabeth begins to belittle the gallery's owner before hesitantly accepting to sell all of Bobby's paintings to them. Alejandro calls his mother to inform of their success, but Elizabeth interrupts with a shocking voice message. She reveals her decision to cryogenically freeze herself to remain with Bobby in the future. She also urges Alejandro to stand up for himself and to confront Hasbro with three things: a job in their internship program, a sponsorship from one of the higher-ups, and a visa.

Empowered by Elizabeth's message, Alejandro confronts Hasbro with evidence of his stolen design, securing a job within the company. Centuries later, a now-elderly Alejandro, who also chose cryogenic preservation, reunites with a reawakened Elizabeth, their bond transcending time.

Cast

Production

In July 2021, it was announced that Tilda Swinton would star in the film and Julio Torres would costar in and direct it, from a screenplay he wrote, with A24 set to finance and distribute.[5] In November 2021, RZA, Isabella Rossellini, Greta Lee, Spike Einbinder, Laith Nakil, Larry Owens, James Scully, and Greta Titelman joined the cast of the film. Emma Stone serves as a producer under her Fruit Tree banner.[6]

Principal photography began in November 2021 in New York City.[7]

Release

The film had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 13, 2023.[8] It was scheduled to be released in the United States on August 4, 2023,[9] before it was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[10] It was eventually rescheduled to be released on March 1, 2024.[11]

Reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 113 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.6/10. The website's consensus reads: "With Problemista, Julio Torres' utterly unique sensibilities prove a perfectly cracked lens through which to find the surreal humor in bleak aspects of the human experience."[12] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 71 out of 100, based on 27 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.[13]

References

  1. ^ "Problemista". South by Southwest. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  2. ^ Nash, Anthony (July 30, 2023). "Recent A24 Budgets are Reportedly 'Out of Control'". ComingSoon.net. Retrieved March 29, 2024.
  3. ^ "Problemista (2023)". The Numbers. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  4. ^ "Problemista (2023)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
  5. ^ Sandberg, Bryn (July 19, 2021). "Julio Torres to Write, Direct and Star in A24 Film (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  6. ^ Grobar, Matt (November 11, 2021). "Greta Lee, Laith Nakli, Isabella Rossellini, RZA & More Board Julio Torres' Film For A24 And Emma Stone's Fruit Tree". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  7. ^ Steves, Ashley (November 17, 2021). "NYC What's Filming: Untitled A24-Julio Torres Film, Starring Tilda Swinton". Backstage. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  8. ^ Zilko, Christian (January 11, 2023). "'Dungeons and Dragons,' 'Evil Dead Rise' Headline First Wave of 2023 SXSW Film Lineup". IndieWire. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
  9. ^ Coggan, Devan (May 24, 2023). "Tilda Swinton is the boss from hell in trailer for Julio Torres' directorial debut Problemista". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  10. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 21, 2023). "A24 Pauses Problemista August Theatrical Release Due to Strikes". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
  11. ^ Cordero, Rosy (January 18, 2024). "A24 Sets Release Date For Julio Torres's 'Problemista' Starring Tilda Swinton & RZA". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 18, 2024.
  12. ^ "Problemista". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  13. ^ "Problemista". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved March 20, 2024.

External links

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