Gigante

The title of Adrián Biniez's affectionate character piece refers to Jara (Horacio Camandule), a big but gentle security guard who works the night shift at a supermarket, moonlights as a bar bouncer (preferring to talk through a conflict rather than get physical), and spends the rest of the day watching TV and playing video games with his nephew. Jara is a lonely guy who sleepwalks through life until he notices Julia (Leonor Svarcas), a young woman from the countryside working on the overnight cleaning crew. Too shy to face her, he monitors her via security camera and starts following her outside work—to the movies, to a karate class, and window shopping on the streets. What could have been an uncomfortable portrait of stalker obsession is softened by the fact of Jara's innate sense of protectiveness, which he extends to other cleaners, fellow guards, and even a rival for Julia's affections that he saves from a mugging. Camandule brings a “gentle giant” quality to Jara, while Svarcas creates a complete character without us ever hearing her utter a single word—using a friendly smile, sparkling eyes, and happy body language. A small film with a big heart, Gigante offers no earth-shaking drama and very little narrative complication, but rather a sunny slice of life in an Uruguayan suburb that, aside from language, isn't that different from communities all over the world. Recommended, overall. [Note: DVD extras include the similarly-themed bonus short film Dennis, directed by Mads Matthiesen. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a mostly winning character study.] (S. Axmaker)