Problemista

Against all expectations, an odd-couple friendship develops. Or so this needy, Kaufmanesque indie would have us believe. In practice, however, Swinton is massively overblown and Torres too wispy and diffident to balance things out.

Problemista is undeniably inventive, but it’s also rather joyless and ultimately infuriating. Like a Slinky that refuses to walk down stairs.

It’s full of implausible cod-adorable happy-sad touches, the filmic equivalent of a decaf oat latte with a sprinkling of vegan gummy bears.

I want [Julio Torres] to get better as a director... But he's a wonderful actor and a really smart writer.

A whimsical fish-out-of-water tale following a toymaker navigating the U.S. immigration system, Problemista is a deeply considered, fantastical tromp through a mundane wonderland.

An inventive, whimsical and delightfully oddball story of the immigrant experience, "Problemista" marks the promising writing and directing debut of Julio Torres.

Bringing to life a colourful and chaotic, character-filled world that should appeal to those enjoy the films of Michel Gondry, Wes Anderson, Guillermo del Toro and Tim Burton, this also features deliciously dry narration by Isabella Rossellini.

The whimsy is wearying and gets in the way of a real story on the surreal immigrant experience.

[Torres'] mix of exasperation and excitement is key to endearing Alejandro to us while his deadpan sarcasm towards the troubles that ail him punch up the satirical nature of this bureaucratic nightmare. Swinton is therefore nothing short of genius.

It’s not so insane that I can see it alienating anyone, but it’s out there enough to be fresh to those who crave such a thing.