Review
Dive (Sports, Drama) [Based on a True Story] (2022)
Director: Lucía Puenzo
Writer: Mónica Herrera, Samara Ibrahim, Tatiana Mereñuk, María Renée Prudencio
Stars: Karla Souza, Hernán Mendoza, Dèja Ebergenyi, Claudia Lobo
A lifelong synchronised diver gets her last chance to dive at the Olympic Games; as her partner gets hurt, unfortunate allegations are made by her much younger replacement and those dreams formerly decisive become questioned.
Based on actual events and the preamble of training for the 2004 Olympic Games, Lucía Puenzo delivers a dissection of trauma and morally flawed depictions of it. As a director and novelist, Puenzo has adapted much of her own work to film, directing them herself. Filmed in Greece, It has been produced by Filmadora, Infinity Hill, and Madam while being distributed by Amazon Prime Video.
Mariel (Karla Souza), a lifelong Olympic-level diver, trains for what is likely her last chance to perform at the Olympic Games. When her synchronised diving partner is hurt during their latest leap, a substitute comes in, proposed by coach Braulio (Hernán Mendoza). Only 14 years old, similarly aged to Mariel, considered a prodigy at that tender age, it rubs her the wrong way—soon after, the mother of this young girl finds a diary containing proposed evidence of sexual misconduct and the coach is temporarily suspended until the committee comes to a verdict. Determined to make her last dive, Mariel gets involved… But, the truth could be more vital.
Using the true events as inspiration, Lucía Puenzo contains a complicated event focusing on moral ambiguity and decisions made by Muriel. It’s a timely tale, making the viewer question events through the eyes of a woman with a heavy cross to bear.
Professional sports at a certain level are intense, as shown in ‘’Dive’’ Souza’s Mariel strives to make it to her last performance, portrayed as an ultimately flawed and headstrong woman. There’s more behind her eyes, though, that much is clear, and Puenzo uses this talent to provide subtlety and analysis, allowing someone unfamiliar with the Olympic story to form their own opinions. Layered with trauma and abuse, it combines personal circumstance and professional engagement perfectly, struggling to find much sympathy until a breaking point is reached.
Integral to the film is the inquiry itself, allowing Muriel to sift through her own internal diary before tackling the grander issue at hand, which could be described as sensational. The scandalous actions put into question warrant a mixed reaction, allowing you to feel for Braulio, who is clearly keen in his craft, even if abrasive. It’s an instance of the phrase where there’s smoke, there’s fire, yet the manner in which the indictments are unfolded present without laying it on too thick. As Muriel questions herself and struggles to choose between success and the truth, that is the pinnacle.
Translating such a complex subject, which can be questionable at times in the manner Puenzo has, is miraculous. Souza carrying and her supporting actors throwing a commendable effort ‘’Dive’’ might be the best in telling this sort of story.
Verdict
Take the plunge.
9,0
