The Mole Agent is an emotionally complex film, certain to charm viewers with its cute characters while also devastating them with its honest depictions of the realities of growing old.
The documentary follows 83-year-old Sergio Chamy, a man hired by a private investigator to be a spy in a Chilean nursing home and uncover alleged mistreatment of its residents. He’s a kind and earnest person with a loving family and caring spirit. Watching him work to find a wrong that needs to be righted — while making friends with the residents in the process — is consistently rewarding.
As The Mole Agent progresses, it becomes apparent just how fortunate Sergio is to have a strong support system, as well as a sound mind and conscience to be an effective spy. His fellow residents yearn for what he has — and he never takes his good fortune for granted. With few visitors, the residents keep their spirits high with parties, poetry and phone calls, but even with the community that they’ve built together, there’s still a hard, crushing loneliness that affects them all — and these moments in the film can be painfully difficult to watch.
But witnessing them in this sad condition is crucial to the full effect of director Maite Alberdi’s message that the elderly should not be forgotten or neglected — a theme that works nicely in tandem with the steady warmth derived from Sergio interacting with his fellow residents. To her credit, Alberdi keeps her focus on their inspiring strength and perseverance, even when it seems like they may not have much left to live for.
Available to rent starting Sept. 11 via grailmoviehouse.com
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