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Poster for Machuca

Machuca

Two boys observe a political coup in their native Chile.

2004 · 1h 56m · Not Rated Drama
Directed by Andrés Wood

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Overview

Santiago, capital of Chile during the Marxist government of elected, highly controversial president Salvador Allende. Father McEnroe supports his leftist views by introducing a program at the prestigious "collegio" (Catholic prep school) St. Patrick to allow free admission of some proletarian kids. One of them is Pedro Machuca, slum-raised son of the cleaning lady in Gonzalo Infante's liberal-bourgeois home. Yet the new classmates become buddies, paradoxically protesting together as Gonzalo gets adopted by Pedro's slum family and gang. But the adults spoil that too, not in the least when general Pinochet's coup ousts Allende, and supporters such as McEnroe.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
87%
Tomatometer
Fresh

Though the film would benefit from further cuts, Machuca still manages to convey the frailty of convictions and the difficulties of growing up -- be it a child or a nation.

Marta Barber, Miami Herald
Fresh

Thanks to a pristine eye for period detail and strong acting skills by the entire cast, there's no need for the script to press any points.

Ted Fry, Seattle Times
Fresh

A fine, exciting film that makes a bloody historical event live all over again by showing it through the eyes of children on the edges of the conflict.

Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune
Fresh

That rare film that merges the personal and political without sacrificing restraint or intellectual honesty.

Ann Hornaday, Washington Post
Fresh

[The film has] an unerring eye for time and place that's counterbalanced by an overly passive, if sympathetic, central character.

Ty Burr, Boston Globe

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