El cuento de las comadrejas

This subtitled Argentine dramedy about a cluster of past-their-prime celebrities perfectly nails the sweet spot for presenting elderly protagonists as real, if eccentric, people. Most films or TV series starring seniors make them overly feisty or clever, presumably to attract younger viewers. For every Cocoon, there are scads of Grumpy Old Men or Golden Girls for laughs; or action films like Red that features retired spies who can still kick an outrageous amount of younger bad guy butts (twice, counting the sequel). Some of those have been entertaining, but the age-appropriate course of events here makes this one a rare treat.

Think of Sunset Boulevard without a sycophant butler. Former screen diva Mara Ordez (Graciella Borges) lives in a rundown mansion, surrounded by reminders of her former glory, including her husband (Luis Brandoni), former director (Oscar Martinez) and screenwriter (Marcos Mundstock). The four have lived in seclusion for decades, coasting on the fumes of the achievements of their youths. All those years together created firm bonds, though with a considerable amount of chafing that shows up mostly in clever, snarky comments.

That delicate balance is threatened when a young couple (Nicolas Francella, Clara Lago) drives up, supposedly by chance, and starts playing to the egos of the denizens. We soon learn that their fawning is a tactic aimed at convincing Mara to sell the place so they can make a killing from plans for the property. What follows is amusing, moving and uncommonly true to form for these characters, with a few surprises along the way.

Juan Jose Campanella, who co-wrote and directed, delivers a story that's masterfully crafted to maintain realistic proportions for the actions of the players in an entertaining package. Even if you think you know what the ending should/will be, how they get there will still impress. Kudos also to the location scout(s) who found the isolated house and grounds, reeking of faded elegance and galas of yore, that serves as a fifth protagonist in the unfolding events, rather than a mere backdrop.

Performances are exceptional across the board. Borges is as sympathetically and maddeningly delusional as Gloria Swanson's Norma Desmond in the aforementioned classic, Sunset Boulevard. The stories of the three men are also fleshed out to create empathy and understanding of why the foursome has existed as it does. The film, Borges and Campanella have racked up numerous awards and nominations in Argentina and beyond. If you watch, you'll know why.