Bad Christmas

La Noche Magica / Bad Christmas is dark comedy that flirts with tenderness, violence and tragedy at the same time. In Christmas Eve, a thief invades a high class house in Buenos Aires; taking hostage a trophy wife, her lover and her husband.

When the thief is about to leave he founds the young daughter of the couple who mistake him with Santa Claus and give him a letter with her wishes. After reading it, he decides to stay and try to grant the kid 's wishes; but slowly realize that things are far darker than it looks and some family members secrets start to unravel. Basically nobody is as good as it seems.

The movie is unexpected in many ways. There are lots of cruelty, class struggle and hints of pedophilia; and even worse ignoring the abuse happening. Sometimes a criminal can be better than apparently honest person.

Acting is quite good and restrained. Natalia Oreiro is cold and lifeless woman. Incapable to accept (and much less confront) her own situation.

Esteban Bigliardi is outstanding as the rich authoritarian husband who as events unravel accepts his own sins. His metamorphosis is quite credible (but revealing more will kill the surprise ending).

Diego Peretti is. Excellent; as a criminal that can be polite but has no problem to torture or kill if he deem it necessary.

Is not an easy movie to watch. People are kill, violence is present and some themes are unsettling; but it is worth a view.