In the realm of cinematic storytelling, 'Ashes' presents an intriguing case study, a film that, despite its intriguing premise, seems to struggle with finding its own identity. Directed by Diego Luna, an actor with a growing repertoire behind the camera, the film adapts Brenda Navarro's novel 'Ceniza en la boca' (A Mouthful of Ash), exploring the complexities of migration and identity through the lens of a Mexican nanny, Lucila, in Madrid.
A Tale of Misplaced Emphasis
From the get-go, 'Ashes' feels like a story that has been rushed, its narrative arc skipping through time without allowing the audience to fully grasp the weight of its developments. The film's opening sequence, depicting Lucila and her brother Diego's tearful abandonment by their mother, is quickly followed by a leap forward in time, thrusting us into Lucila's adult life in Spain without any real exploration of the emotional fallout from that pivotal moment. While the cast, particularly Anna Diaz as Lucila, delivers powerful performances, the film's structure leaves much to be desired.
Navigating the Margins
'Ashes' follows Lucila's journey as she navigates life in Spain, working as a nanny and a food delivery driver, and forming a social circle with other Latin American nannies. However, the film's focus on these various aspects of her life leaves little room to fully flesh out the contours of her family situation back in Mexico. Information about her mother's life and Diego's struggles is presented in a rushed, almost offhand manner, leaving the audience to piece together the fragments of this fractured home. The film's storytelling choices often prioritize style over substance, with the camera's indecisive gaze on Lucila's mother further emphasizing this imbalance.
A Disconnected Turn
As the film progresses, it takes a late-act turn towards exploring the concept of 'home' and how it evolves with the passage of time. However, this shift in tone and setting feels disjointed, almost as if the film is trying to reconcile two separate stories. While Lucila's physical journey back to Mexico is intuitive, the emotional journey that accompanies it remains elusive, leaving the audience with a sense of detachment rather than the intended impact.
Luna's Limited Lens
Despite Luna's evident talent in eliciting powerful performances, his directorial choices in 'Ashes' seem to highlight his limitations as a storyteller. The film's haphazard nature, its rushed storytelling, and its disjointed visual language all contribute to a sense of disorientation for the audience. While Diaz's performance as Lucila is remarkable, it often feels like she is carrying the film on her shoulders, with the narrative's emotional foundations laid in reverse.
Final Thoughts
'Ashes' is a film that, despite its promising premise and talented cast, struggles to find its narrative footing. It raises interesting questions about migration, identity, and the concept of 'home', but its execution often falls short, leaving the audience with a sense of missed potential. In my opinion, the film's shortcomings lie in its rushed storytelling and its inability to fully explore the emotional depth of its characters and their journeys. While Luna's directorial choices showcase his strengths in eliciting powerful performances, they also highlight the need for a more nuanced and thoughtful approach to storytelling.
