English Title: Family Life
Directed by: Cristián Jiménez, Alicia Scherson
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: A man named Martin (Jorge Becker) housesits for the family of a second cousin named Bruno (Cristián Carvajal) and settles into their home a bit too much.
Cartoon Cat: An animated black cat walks across the opening titles at the start of the film.
Featured Feline: Bruno’s family owns a black cat named Mississippi who is first seen sleeping with the daughter when Bruno’s wife Consuelo (Blanca Lewin) checks on her.
After the family leaves for Paris, Martin first sees Mississippi in the courtyard.
Martin is naked in the bathroom when Mississippi meows and gets his attention. He picks up the cat.
“Talking to cats is ridiculous,” Martin complains. “I came here to be quiet, not to talk, especially not with you.” Martin then holds up Mississippi to look him in the eye. “Look man,” he says, “I’m not going to buy you any special food. You eat the same food as always. If you miss your owners, too bad. And if you need something, meow, but only a little. Don’t bug me. Got it?”
This doesn’t seem to deter Mississippi from hanging out with Martin, even sleeping with him.
Mississippi then goes missing. Martin Googles a random photo of a black cat to use on a Lost Pet poster.
Martin then meets Paz (Gabriela Arancibia), a neighbor who has lost her dog. He starts to spend time with Paz and her son Seba (Lucas Miranda). Fortunately Mississippi returns home.
Martin and Paz begin a relationship built in part on lies that Martin is telling her. Martin sits with Mississippi on the stairs.
Seba looks down upon his mother and Mississippi in the courtyard.
As the lies and deception grows deeper, Martin takes some comfort in Mississippi’s company.
Consuelo comes home and greets the cat. She and Bruno then discover the things Martin has been up to while they have been gone.
Purr Blur: At the end of the film Paz comes to the house looking for Martin. As she turns and walks away, a cat exits the bushes nearby and walks behind her.
Final Mewsings: When hiring a cat sitter, make sure they care about your cat!
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