An odd little film from Argentina, “The Tenth Man” tracks the return home to Buenos Aires of Ariel (Alan Sabbagh), a Jew living in New York. The purpose is to see his father, Usher, whom we never meet but hear on the phone. He has a powerful hold on Ariel, who on arrival gets a series of demanding assignments from Usher to help with some of the charities his well-heeled dad supports. He also becomes involved with his family’s commercial enterprise, a shop with everything from clothing to kosher meat.
Although Ariel is not especially religious, this particular trip leads to his taking his faith more seriously, as he is introduced to ritual baths and orthodox practices, such as unmarried women forbidden to talk to men. Curiously, Eva, played with quiet repression by Julieta Zylberberg, is assigned to look after Ariel in the apartment where he is housed. Repression doesn’t last long, as there is a romantic outburst with Eva taking the lead. No conversation is required.
The film’s title refers to the need for ten men to conduct prayer services, and the issue arises as to whether Ariel can be counted upon to be the tenth to complete the quorum for the funeral of a man for whom there is no affection by Usher and others. Whether to accept the solemn duty becomes a landmark for Ariel’s discovery that he has come to care more about his religion than when he left on the trip from New York.
Director Daniel Burman packs much atmosphere into the slender film, and although it trails off without flourish, it leaves a blueprint of the process of change undergone by its protagonist. A Kino Lorber release. Reviewed August 5, 2016.