User reviews

Civil engineer Manuel (Leonardo Sbaraglia) is married to architect Lucía (Celeste Cid), and we witness their very dysfunctional relationship for the duration of the movie. "Dysfunctional" is an understatement; Manuel and Lucía constantly cut the ground under each other's feet and there is no single scene where they seem to be at ease with each other. The situation is taking his toll in seven-year old son Santiago (Maximiliano Silva) who tries to survive as best he can this constant tension, but is having adaptation problems at school.

Manuel and Lucia are in the process of building their dream house in a Buenos Aires suburb, perhaps with the hope of improving their relationship, but even this is going badly; they have bought a run-down house and are unable to agree on the improvements.

Among the positives of the film is director's Anahi Berneri's gift for ellipsis. For instance, we learn that Manuel lives under his father's shadow through short telephone conversations and an equally short father-son dialogue. Santiago's problems at school are revealed in a brief, poignant scene with Manuel.

The negatives are, there is no development; the couple's relationship is as suffocating at the end of the movie as it is at the beginning, and one does not feel much sympathy for their woes. The title Aire Libre means open, fresh air, which is sorely missing in this marriage.