Problemista is a 2024 American dramedy. It is the directorial debut of Julio Torres, who loosely based the film on his own experiences immigrating to the United States from El Salvador. Torres stars in the film as Alejandro Martinez, an aspiring toy designer with visa struggles. He begins working for an eccentric artist, Elizabeth (Tilda Swinton), in hopes that he can stay in the country.
Tropes:
- And Starring: The credits at the beginning of the film end with "and narrated by Isabella Rossellini".
- Actor Allusion: Alejandro, who is based on the director and writer of the film, has many ideas for whimsical and even satirical toys; These are likely a reference to Torres’ work for SNL writing commercials for products of the same nature.
- Ambiguously Gay: Alejandro never says he’s gay, but he’s based on and played by the openly gay Julio Torres and when he tries Craigslist sex work to fund his visa, he goes for a male client who he kisses in earnest after the two have sex. Elizabeth’s other assistant, Bingham, is even more ambiguous.
- Anthropomorphic Personification: Of the freelance website Craigslist.
- Eccentric Artist: The gallerist Elizabeth is always seen with outrageously colored hair and makeup, and always has something to complain and fuss about (such as the inclusion of walnuts on a restaurant menu, or implying that her former assistant was on drugs). It’s hard to tell what are eccentricities and what’s grief at losing her husband, Bobby. As for him, all of his art dealt with the subject of eggs (as a metaphor for the potential they hold within).
- Grew a Spine: At the beginning of the film, Alejandro is a meek and timid guy. Spending time with- and dealing with- Elizabeth teaches him how to be assertive while maintaining his trademark kindness and optimism.
- Latin Land: Elizabeth's knowledge of El Salvador begins and ends with pupusas "and those nuns they killed in the '80s." All the audience sees is the Martinez household, brightly decorated and surrounded by jungle.
- Magical Realism: While many of the film’s more surreal moments are seen through the lens of Alejandro’s expressive imagination, it takes place in a world where cryogenic freezing is a common practice and actually works.
- Sliding Scale of Idealism Versus Cynicism: While the film is somewhat satirical in tone, it overall leans towards the Idealism side of the scale.
