This new Chilean comedy, directed by Martín Duplaquet, is loosely inspired by the real case of the prolific bank robber José Abello Gonzáles, who robbed fourteen branches from 2006 until he was caught in 2012. The curious thing is that he was an atypical criminal; his thefts were committed without violence and without weapons; he posed as a bank employee, hiding his identity under a disguise. Because of this modus operandi, the media nicknamed him “the ghost,” because during his exploits he managed to go unnoticed by the police.
In 2006, Chile was experiencing an unprecedented capitalist fever. José Hidalgo (Willy Semler), a former bank employee who bet everything on the system but failed, decides to form a criminal team with the Chinese Chang (Daniel Muñoz) and the Argentine Picasso (Darío Lopilato) to be part of this great party, but breaking the rules. However, his plans did not include Daniel (Néstor Cantillana), an experienced policeman who will do everything possible to capture “The Phantom”, following the “game” of cat and mouse.
It is an effective police comedy. An entertaining film with some jokes that work and a certain amount of action. It is very different from Chilean cinema in general, it does not fall into the crudeness that comedies usually are, but it does not reach the other extreme of density that national productions often incur. It is a film aimed at a general audience, since it is light and enjoyable to watch. It does not reach the level of the two most recent Argentine comedies about bank robberies: “Los engaños” and the aforementioned “El robo del siglo”. But even so, it shows an important advance in Chilean cinema.
It is an unbalanced film, there are moments with good ideas and others that are a bit weak. There are moments in which the direction seems more like a Chilean TV movie or a TV series than a movie for the cinema. Although the criticism that it suggests of the financial system is interesting, it does not go into depth and does not constitute a more political satire, like the good films of Adam McKay or Luis Estrada. It is not a film that tries to be reflective about the events recounted, it is limited to entertainment and that’s it. And from that perspective it must be appreciated.
The performances are the highlight of this film. Willy Semler is excellent as a frustrated, ordinary man who, from one day to the next, decides that it is a good idea to rob banks to get revenge on a system that has left him on the sidelines. This was the actor’s great return to comedy, after the film in which he plays himself, “The Foretold Death of Willy Semler.” The actor has collaborated with director Duplaquet in the three films he has directed, but “The Phantom” was his first leading role and, in my opinion, the most significant. The performances of Néstor Cantillana, Elisa Zulueta and Daniel Muñoz also stand out.
In my opinion, this is Duplaquet’s best film. The most correct despite its flaws, especially in the script and in the plausibility of some of its scenes. However, it is clear that he is on the right track for the future.
“El fantasma” is pure entertainment. It goes beyond the niche margins that Chilean cinema is used to. It is a work that can please the general public and that is a relevant factor, it is appreciated that films achieve a connection with people and that they feel close. Its premiere was on August 15 and it is a great option to reconnect with national cinema.
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