neumu [ cinematronic ]




	Intacto
	Juan Carlos Fresnadillo Max Von Sydow, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Eusebio Poncela, Mónica López 2001		The phrase "make your own luck" takes on new meaning in "Intacto," a bizarre, fascinating drama from Spanish writer/director Juan Carlos Fresnadillo. The movie is constructed around the enticing theory that luck, good or bad, is a quantifiable attribute that varies in strength from person to person and can be acquired or enhanced by an individual under certain conditions. Max Von Sydow, the great Swedish actor who reached international acclaim in Ingmar Bergman's movies and shows up in high-profile American fare such as "Minority Report," is an imposing presence in "Intacto" as Sam, the autocratic proprietor of a successful casino in a remote desert locale. Sam fancies that his prosperity is predicated on his amazingly good luck — and aims to hold onto his fortunate status. To that end, he sends his protégé to find people who have survived serious accidents or won sensational contests. The chosen few are then invited to enter high-stakes challenges that will eventually culminate in the luckiest among them risking their lives in the ultimate game of chance — winner-take-all, including all the good luck. Freaky.