This film is based on the Dirty War of Argentina in the 1970's. The war left between 9,000 and 30,000 people disappearing from society. An affluent couple "adopts" a child during this time and the mother, Alicia is not allowed to ask any questions regarding the adoption of Gaby. Many people are very unaware of how much killing went on during the war, so Alicia did not really even think that Gaby was a product of it.
Alicia is a history teacher, teaching only from the books. Her students say that the "books" are from the military(assassins) and what they want you to believe. Alicia, married to a military husband Roberto, becomes very angry with her students rebellion. When Alicia's friend Ana visits and reveals her story of torture during the war, she starts to become concerned of the nature of Gaby's adoption. When Alicia questions Roberto regarding the adoption, he reminds her that she got what she wanted, Gaby. This secrecy makes Alicia even more uncomfortable. She also comes across protesters ( mostly grandparents), in the streets demanding the return of their loved ones, and the babies stolen from the womb of their children. Alicia feels for the people and wonders if she may actually have one of those babies. This then leads her on a search for the truth. I myself have mixed feelings about this. I honestly do not know if I could do this, seeing the love Alicia has for Gaby as her child. It makes me think of how much I love my own children, and the thought of giving them up sickens me.
History class takes on new meaning to Alicia and the so-called truth. When a student writes a paper depicting the realism that took place in history, she rewards him with an A- and asks him to simply provide references.
Alicia turns detective and thinks she may have found Gaby's true grandmother, Sara. When Roberto comes home and finds her there he becomes outraged and demands the "bag lady" leave their home.
Roberto looks for Gaby and asks Alicia where she is. Alicia's response is "how does it feel not knowing where your child is?" Roberto physically assaults her and Alicia leaves. The story ends as it began, Gaby singing a lullaby. Gaby is also waiting on her parent's to arrive as was Alicia when she was a child. Alicia's never returned, will Gaby's? There are a lot of questions to be answered at the end of this movie. What happened to Gaby? Where did Alicia go? Did Alicia leave Roberto for good? Did Alicia become a facilitator and help people find their loved ones? Does Gaby become reunited with her true grandparents?
I myself do not like so many unanswered questions, and therefore did not like this movie so much.
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I agree with how you stated that there were many unanswered questions at the end of the movie, as this is what I blogged about. It is hard for me to say if I think there will be any light at the end of the tunnel for Gaby, because the ending wasn't too clear. I got the feeling that Alicia wasn't coming back to Roberto because she left her keys in the door. As far as Gaby, I can only hope that Alicia goes and gets her and doesn't leave her waiting, like she was when she was a child. I wish the ending would have provided more closure, but maybe that was the intent of the director. Who knows. I did enjoy the film I just wish the ending had more clarification as far as the characters.
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