NYFF: Tony Manero

Pablo Larrain's wicked Tony Manero, named for John Travolta's character in Saturday Night Fever, is the most thrilling selection so far at this year's NYFF. The story of Raúl (Alfredo Castro) and his troupe of dancers eager to put on a disco show in a local taverna could have played like another "art-conquers-all" fairy tale like Billy Elliot and all the rest.

But before the fearsome backdrop of Pinochet's Chile, Raúl's single-minded determination to wear that white suit and dance on lit glass tiles becomes infected with violence and seemingly bottomless despair. By turns hilarious and harrowing, Tony Manero is full of shocking surprises and potent characterizations. [posted by Jürgen] ****

More from Vadim Rizov, Nick Schager, and the roundup of Cannes reviews at GreenCine Daily. See the NYFF official site for screening information.