On the Prowl

THE HEIRESSES (B+) - This delightfully quirky film follows two aging scions of wealthy families in Asuncion, Paraguay, as they struggle with their relationship and the loss of their wealth. When the debts of Chiquita (Margarita Irun) land her in prison, her mate Chela (Ana Brun) ends up carting other old ladies around the city, despite her inexperience behind the wheel, but protected by the rosary beads hanging from the rearview mirror.

Written and directed by newcomer Marcelo Martinessi, "The Heiresses" unfolds casually to tell Chela's story as she emerges from social seclusion and savors the joy of freedom from the domineering Chiquita (who thrives in the low-security female prison), especially when the sexy, younger Angy (Ana Ivanova) enters the picture. Martinessi is comfortable with the simplistic narrative, as Brun (like Irun, a newcomer) takes over the proceedings with a soulful performance. The story is quiet but profound.

THE CHARMER (B+) - Young Iranian Esmail (Ardalan Esmaili) is on the prowl in Copenhagen, hoping to land a Danish wife that will earn him a green card and an extended stay away from his homeland. His escapades catch the eye of another Iranian, Sara (Soho Rezanejad), who knows the game he is playing and swats him away from her tall, blond friend.

Esmail's background is slowly peeled back for us to understand his motivations, especially his interactions at the hot singles bar with an older Danish man newly on the singles market and seeking to commiserate with Esmail. The actor Esmaili carries this from beginning to end with a pair of puppy-dog eyes and, yes, charm. This one, from relative newcomer Milad Alami, turns into a quiet little thriller as Esmail tries to outrace his past. Alami and co-writer Ingeborg Topsoe craft sharp dialogue and make fine use of different fonts in the subtitles -- italicizing the English translation of Persian to distinguish from the Danish dialogue. The narrative is taut, leading to a powerful ending.

BONUS TRACK
The trailer for "The Heiresses":