Watch The Mole Agent

The Mole Agent from 2020 is a unique and charming documentary film that tells the story of a private investigator who hires an 83-year-old detective to work as a spy in a Chilean nursing home. Sergio Chamy plays the role of the elderly mole agent, a charming and humorous man who becomes a resident in the nursing home in order to investigate potential elder abuse from within. He must navigate the ins and outs of life in a nursing home while surreptitiously gathering evidence and sending back reports to his employer.

Director Maite Alberdi has created a film that is both funny and heartwarming, with an underlying commentary about the treatment of elderly citizens in society. The film blends elements of comedy, mystery, and drama to create a compelling and entertaining narrative.

The Mole Agent is filmed almost entirely through the lens of hidden cameras installed by Alberdi's team. These cameras capture the day-to-day experiences of the residents of the nursing home, as well as the interactions between Sergio and the other residents and staff members.

One of the strengths of the film is the way it presents the relationship between Sergio and the other residents. As a newcomer to the nursing home, Sergio quickly befriends several of the other residents, and he becomes a beloved figure within the community. The film does an excellent job of showing the ways in which the elderly can form deep connections and friendships late in life.

At the same time, the film does not shy away from the darker side of life in a nursing home. There are instances of neglect and mistreatment that Sergio is able to uncover during his investigation, and these moments are handled with sensitivity and care. The film is never heavy-handed or preachy, but it does offer a subtle commentary on the issues facing the elderly in our society.

What makes The Mole Agent so compelling is the way it subverts our expectations. We enter the film thinking we'll be watching a lighthearted comedy about an elderly detective, but we end up with something much more profound. The film is a meditation on aging, loneliness, and the human need for connection.

The performances in the film are uniformly excellent. Sergio Chamy is a delight to watch as the irrepressible mole agent, and his interactions with the other residents are a highlight of the film. Romulo Aitken is also excellent as Romulo, Sergio's employer, and the film benefits from his dry sense of humor.

The cinematography by Pablo Valdés is also noteworthy. The hidden camera footage is well-composed and gives us a glimpse into the residents' lives that feels both intimate and respectful.

Overall, The Mole Agent is a film that is both fun and thought-provoking. It's a testament to the power of cinema to tell stories that are both entertaining and meaningful. If you enjoy documentaries that blend humor and heart, you won't want to miss this one.

The Mole Agent is a 2020 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 69.