Is El vivo retrato Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1986)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of El vivo retrato (1986), audiences are invited back into the world of Comedy, Science Fiction. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "The year is 2045. Jonás Godesberg, a man who looks amazingly like Luis Eduardo Aute, dictates his memoirs to a computer. He tells the story of how his grandfather, German scientist Gustav Godesberg, who developed genetic engineering experiments for the Nazis during World War II, arrived to the Spanish coast after surviving a ship wreck, and there fell for Amalia, a prostitute nicknamed 'The German'. Together, they developed a business out of selling babies that had been genetically modified to look like whoever the buyer wanted them to."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Unfortunately, Victoria Vera feels underutilized in a role that lacks depth. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Comedy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is El vivo retrato worth your time? If you appreciate Comedy, Science Fiction films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, El vivo retrato misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 97 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.