Problemista is hilarious and colourful and punctuated with magical sequences, all of which reflect the abstract and unearthly nature of the art world that the film takes us to. Tilda Swinton faultlessly plays Elizabeth, a thunderous New York art critic, who is struggling after her artist husband Bobby, played by RZA, passes away. She finds in Alejandro a kindred spirit, equally as lost, but who she thinks she can bend to her will in her endless quest for order out of chaos. The characters exist on the edge of something, trying to reach a centre where the lives they truly want will come into existence. Elizabeth is determined to build her husband’s artistic legacy, and also make enough money to keep his cryogenically frozen body on ice. Alejandro is trying to get a visa to stay in the USA, and desperately wants to land his dream job as a toy designer. Together, the unlikely duo claw and scratch their way back from the outside, through the viciousness of the art world, the desperation of poverty, the mental gymnastics of immigration departments, and a banking system that is stacked against those without capital. And then they get round to tackling the technical fortress that is FileMaker Pro, and the minor inconvenience of the human lifespan.
Julio Torres of SNL fame makes his directorial debut with Problemista, from A24 Films, who brought us Past Lives and Everything Everywhere All At Once. Produced by Emma Stone and Dave McCary via their Fruit Tree banner.
Currently streaming on AppleTV and will be available to own and rent on all major digital platforms from 28th August. Was a hit at SXSW 2023. Screened at Sydney Film Festival 2024.
Starring Tilda Swinton, Isabella Rosselini, RZA, Greta Lee, Catalina Saavedra, James Scully, Larry Owens, Laith Nakli, Kelly McCormack, Spike Einbinder, Greta Titelman, and River L. Ramirez.
The ideas all mix together madly, as if spinning on the fast cycle of a washing machine, and if you can strap in for the ride, they come together beautifully in the end. Ultimately, Elizabeth shows Alejandro that a little bit of crazy goes a long way, and that if you want to build a dream, nobody is going to go knocking down doors for you. The themes of purpose and legacy, and the self belief that every creative endeavour is built on, resonate throughout all the film’s great laughs. and it’s possible you’ll never be able to look at CraigsList again without hearing James Scully’s voice in your head.
