Juan Schnitman’s 2015 film THE FIRE is an intense drama about a couple’s passionate and often violent feuding in the midst of their floundering relationship. This Argentinian film introduces us to Lucia (Pilar Gamboa) and Marcelo (Juan Barberini), a young couple on the cusp of buying a new house together. But when the deal falls through at the last minute, the pair are left with the dilemma of what to do with all of the cash. The film portrays the next 24 hours in the couple’s life as they are forced to evaluate the future of their relationship.

The ever present pressure of the money sparks heated arguments between the pair, leading to shouting, crying, slapping, biting and occasional aggressive lovemaking. The use of handheld camerawork and long duration shots lends the proceedings an almost documentary realism. This style allows Gamboa and Barberini the freedom to produce fine performances in what must have been difficult scenes, not least because of the length of the shots. Though these intense scenes are sometimes overlong and could benefit from being used sparingly, the actors’ portrayals as the squabbling couple are entirely believable, and lend their characters’ actions credibility during the most passionate and destructive battles.

Although some of the narrative twists and turns alluded to never materialise, THE FIRE still makes for intriguing viewing, with the audience left constantly questioning what will become of the passionate couple. The film is a simple and effective character drama with strong performances at the core of its best moments. Gamboa and Barberini’s fiery performances brilliantly represent the relatable story of young lovers struggling to regain a lost intimacy by any means necessary.

httpvh://youtu.be/7mLMUkDZqII