VIAJE (2015) - ♦♦♦

Directed by - Paz Fabrega

Written by - (uncredited)

Starring - Fernando Bolanos, Kattia Gonzalez

"VIAJE revolves around the very simple narrative concept of a man and a woman meeting at a party and deciding to set off on a journey in the woods. The impulsiveness of their decision is part of a cohesive vision with which PAZ FABREGA rewards the viewer through an overall spontaneous feeling type of filmmaking, which is also charmingly enriched by its black and white cinematography that highlights well the texture of the woods in which most of the film takes place. 

At its core, the intentions of FABREGA are not to shock or surprise the viewer through twists and turns in her story about a blooming romance. They rather more rely on her ambition to represent genuine sensibilities of romanticism and relationship between two people in their early thirties, and this is a concept that is carried off with great dignity. 

VIAJE is aided by the good chemistry shared between its two leads, whose improvisation drives its story, and seems to naturally rise out of the titular journey which their characters undertake. But even at its most exciting and liberated, the narrative standards seem a little low and restrictive inevitably allow the film to suffer from occasional moments of dullness, and even a viewer's interest in the central couple wane down as the film progresses."

Romantic Comedy, Costa Rica