Directed by: Federico Borgia
Written by: Federico Borgia
Starring: Roberto Suárez, Maitina De Marco, Esteban Bigliardi
Prince follows the titular Afghan hound, whose owner is devoted to him. As Jaime (Roberto Suárez), a devoted butler, settles in with the titular dog, greedy relatives scheme to disrupt their peaceful arrangement in a ruthless custody battle. Prince is a feature-length film that explores themes of wealth, greed, and love in a darkly comedic take on domestic life.
Prince opens with a unique approach, relying heavily on visual storytelling to show the audience the central characters’ opulence. It’s a commendable choice, as it explores Jaime and Prince in their daily routine without overexplaining the story’s ideas and themes. It’s a double-edged sword as the characters bathe in their wealth, yet their struggles with depression and self-doubt make it hard not to feel sorry for them despite their flaws. Jaime is a compelling central character, conveying his devotion to Prince profoundly, and it is engaging to watch as he deals with the supporting characters attempting to disrupt their relationship. While it takes a while to find its footing, the narrative becomes far more compelling as the central conflict begins to brew.
Writer/director Federico Borgia’s script is incredibly provocative in the way it explores themes of fortune, depression and domestic life. The film balances its satirical edge with the narrative’s dramatic elements profoundly. While it may suffer from a meandering pace that detracts from the experience, the screenplay’s deep dive into Jaime’s struggle with grief makes the prolonged runtime rewarding. Despite feeling like a chore to sit through at times, the film’s final stretch ties all the narrative threads together, leading to an uncomfortable and eerie conclusion that may linger in viewers’ minds after the credits roll.
Many of the film’s technical aspects are incredibly impressive. Ismael Varela serves as the film’s composer and delivers a melancholic score that accompanies certain scenes superbly. That said, it can become repetitive due to recurring motifs. Ramiro Gonzalez Pampillon serves as the film’s cinematographer and primarily frames each scene with wide shots to capture the wealth and splendour of the bungalow Prince lives in. The camera also shifts to tracking during an incredibly tense sequence as it follows Jaime in anguish, with the score swelling in the background. This scene in particular is a standout in the film as it is a wonderfully shot, tightly edited, and well-acted piece of filmmaking.
Roberto Suárez’s portrayal of Jaime is incredibly engaging throughout. He perfectly captures the character’s affluence and self-pity while also conveying the emotional nuance in the film’s final third. His chemistry with Maitina De Marco as Isabel in her brief screen time is also remarkable. Roberto Suárez’s performance shines in the film’s conclusion, as his expressive body language beautifully conveys the characters’ fall from grace. The supporting players are also memorable in their portrayals of despicableness as their characters work their way into Prince and Jaime’s peaceful life.
Prince is a compelling depiction of prosperity, greed, and domestic life. While the film may suffer from pacing issues, its eerie conclusion makes it ultimately rewarding. Anchored by a remarkable central performance from Roberto Suárez and unique camerawork, Prince is a memorable piece of indie filmmaking.