Table of Contents
Raymond Carver’s Influence on “In Her Place”
The spellbinding story “Neighbors” by Raymond Carver captures the uncanny feeling of slipping into another’s life, the alluring yet unsettling sensation of standing in someone else’s home, temporarily occupying a world brighter and seemingly more expansive than your own. Carver’s exploration of identity and curiosity resonates throughout In Her Place, a film that dives into a blend of true crime intrigue, domestic drama, and feminist exploration. This fictional narrative marks a new direction for Maite Alberdi, the celebrated Chilean documentarian known for her Oscar nominated works, The Mole Agent and The Eternal Memory.
While In Her Place may mark Alberdi’s first foray into fiction, it shares thematic DNA with her previous documentaries. Her unique storytelling, which blends classic genre structures with whimsical humor and delicate humanity, remains evident in this venture. Much like The Mole Agent—a genre-bending nursing home mystery disguised as a whodunnit—In Her Place merges procedural storytelling with rich character study, navigating the complexities of human nature against a backdrop of suspense and drama.
Set in 1950s Santiago, In Her Place follows the life of Mercedes (Elisa Zulueta), a reserved, somewhat timid working mother who juggles her duties at home and her job as a secretary to a prominent judge. Mercedes’ ordinary world takes a surprising turn when she becomes entangled in a high-profile murder trial that grips the entire court. Drawn by her curiosity and perhaps a longing for excitement beyond her everyday routine, she begins to delve into an unofficial investigation. This exploration leads Mercedes down a winding path where her seemingly modest life starts to intersect with the charged, sometimes dangerous secrets of others.
Parallel Themes of Comedy and Whimsy
Alberdi’s narrative style remains evident in In Her Place as she carefully threads moments of human comedy and irony through the storyline, bringing warmth to a tale grounded in tension. Like The Mole Agent, which charmed audiences with its mix of humor and sincerity, In Her Place also balances serious themes with lighthearted undertones, creating a compelling contrast that adds dimension to Mercedes’ character. These whimsical touches transform what could be a straightforward crime drama into a more multifaceted narrative that comments on both personal identity and societal expectations.
While In Her Place is built on a foundation of mystery and intrigue, it also serves as a subtle yet powerful feminist exploration. Mercedes’ quiet rebellion against the limitations placed upon her—both by society and by herself—reflects Alberdi’s dedication to examining women’s roles within traditional structures. The film paints Mercedes as a woman craving an identity beyond the confines of motherhood and subservience, seeking to make sense of her world and her place within it. This exploration feels especially resonant in the 1950s Santiago setting, a time and place where societal norms were rigidly defined, and women’s roles were largely restricted to home and family.
As Mercedes ventures deeper into her unofficial investigation, her timid personality begins to evolve, with each discovery pulling her further away from her old self and into a bolder, more self-assured version of herself. This gradual transformation provides a mirror to her life’s constrictions, revealing a woman who is beginning to realize her own worth and potential. Through her investigation, Mercedes lives a life far removed from her own, filled with suspense, secrecy, and, perhaps most importantly, a newfound sense of agency. In occupying another’s world, she finds herself questioning her own and imagining possibilities beyond her previous reality.
A New Chapter in Chilean Cinema
In Her Place introduces audiences to a new side of Maite Alberdi’s storytelling prowess, maintaining her distinctive style while stepping into the realm of fiction. Alberdi crafts a film that is a familiar pleasure self-discovery by weaving procedural elements with a richly layered protagonist. This blend of themes and genres reaffirms Alberdi’s place as a boundary-pushing filmmaker, showing that her voice in cinema is as compelling in fiction as it has been in her acclaimed documentaries.
The story of Maria Carolina Geel is a compelling piece of Chilean history that has captured the interest of many, including filmmaker Maite Alberdi. Geel, a prominent and respected Chilean author, committed a shocking crime when she fatally shot her lover in the dining room of Santiago’s posh Hotel Crillón. This crime of passion quickly became a national sensation, not only because of the brutal nature of the act but also due to the later lawsuit and Geel’s later actions while imprisoned. Geel’s story is dramatic and complex, woven with themes of love, betrayal, justice, and redemption, which naturally lend themselves to a cinematic investigation.
Following her arrest, Geel’s case took an unexpected turn that continued to fuel public fascination. Despite the severity of her crime, Geel received a surprisingly lenient sentence of just three years, which many viewed as a controversial outcome given the high profile nature of the case. What’s more, before she even served her full sentence, Geel was granted a presidential pardon, sparking further debate and outrage. This early release left many questioning the reasons behind such leniency and the societal implications of her case. Geel’s privileged background and her status as a celebrated writer became talking points, adding layers to an already complex situation that blurred the lines between justice and social influence.
Geel’s Literary Response
While serving her time, Geel turned her experience into art, penning a work of autofiction that delved into her inner turmoil and reflections on her actions. This confessional-style novel offered the public a unique insight into her psyche and motivations, blending real experiences with fictionalized elements that blurred the line between fact and imagination. Through this writing, Geel created a narrative that sought to explain, justify, or perhaps even redeem her actions. Her novel became a cultural touchstone, symbolizing her own journey of self-reflection and capturing the complexity of her emotions during incarceration. The work allowed Geel to reclaim her narrative, framing herself not merely as a criminal but as an introspective author seeking understanding.
For a filmmaker like Maite Alberdi, known for her documentary work that intricately examines the human condition, Geel’s story naturally piqued her interest. The blend of real life scandal, legal drama, and personal redemption is precisely the kind of multifaceted narrative Alberdi is drawn to. Through In Her Place, she revisits Geel’s story with a fresh perspective, exploring the layers of complexity that make it such a rich subject for cinematic treatment. However, rather than recounting Geel’s life through straightforward documentary style, Alberdi chooses a fictional lens, viewing the events through the eyes of an imagined character, Mercedes.
Mercedes as a Narrative Proxy
In the film, Mercedes serves as the primary lens through which Alberdi explores Geel’s story. A fictional character, Mercedes is presented as a woman fascinated by Geel’s crime and the subsequent unfolding of events. While Mercedes’ perspective offers an accessible way for audiences to experience the intrigue surrounding Geel, this narrative device has its limitations. Rather than becoming a fully realized character with her motivations and conflicts, Mercedes functions more as a stand in for Alberdi’s curiosity and admiration. This approach, while imaginative, sometimes detracts from the film’s potential to create a deeply compelling protagonist in Mercedes, making her more of an observer than an active participant.
Despite the limitations of the Mercedes character, In Her Place remains an ambitious exploration of societal norms, gender roles, and personal redemption. Geel’s story serves as a powerful example of how societal expectations and judgments often shape women’s lives. Her position as both a criminal and an author provides a unique viewpoint on the mixing of power, creativity, and the female experience. Through her writing, Geel reclaims her narrative, challenging society’s perception of her as simply a woman driven to violent action by passion. Alberdi’s film, therefore, is more than a crime story—it’s a meditation on identity, agency, and the pursuit of understanding, even in the face of scandal and public scrutiny.
Mercedes’ World: The Relentless Caretaker
The opening of the film paints a vivid picture of Mercedes as a woman pulled in multiple directions, constantly tending to the needs of the men around her. She is a woman of endless energy and little recognition, tirelessly fulfilling various roles for each man in her life. Her husband, Efrain (Pablo Macaya), a bumbling photographer, runs a small portrait studio from their cramped apartment. Despite his disorganization and dependence on Mercedes, Efrain has no qualms about leaving household tasks and studio management in her capable hands. Mercedes is also the primary caregiver for her two adult sons, who, despite their age, rely heavily on her housekeeping and seem in no rush to move out. This dependency not only weighs on Mercedes but subtly reinforces her role as the backbone of their home, a role she accepts but quietly resents.
Outside the home, Mercedes is the indispensable assistant to a high-ranking judge, admired in the legal world for his professionalism but helpless without her unflagging administrative support. While the judge is esteemed in public circles, it’s Mercedes who ensures the smooth operation of his office, managing everything from meticulous paperwork to minor errands. Her role as a factotum extends beyond mere secretarial tasks—she’s his anchor, managing crucial court documents and organizing his schedule. Yet, for all her contributions, she receives little recognition, often reduced to the role of “the help” despite her vital contributions.
A Routine Errand Turns Into a Key Discovery
One day, Mercedes is assigned a seemingly mundane task by her boss: to visit Maria Carolina Geel’s apartment and retrieve a few personal items for Geel, who has been temporarily transferred to a convent. This task, like many others, seems unremarkable at first, but it unexpectedly opens a door into a world that is far removed from Mercedes’ own. This visit to Geel’s apartment is meant to be quick and uneventful, a simple favor for the court’s newest defendant. However, the moment Mercedes steps into the intimate space of Geel’s home, she senses an unfamiliar thrill, as if she’s stepping into a life brimming with secrets and untold stories.
Discovering Geel’s World
As Mercedes moves through Geel’s apartment, her curiosity grows. She is struck by the difference between Geel’s world and her own—this is not the home of a confined housewife, but rather that of a woman who has lived passionately and unapologetically. Every corner of the space tells a story, and every item she handles feels like a fragment of Geel’s past life. There is a sense of independence in this home that Mercedes has never known, a reminder that women can live outside the confines of traditional roles. Geel’s apartment is more than a place; it is a testament to a life led boldly, without concern for convention, and Mercedes feels a strange affinity with the unseen woman.
This brief exposure to Geel’s personal life ignites a fascination within Mercedes. Her routine, once bound by the repetitive tasks of domestic upkeep and administrative work, now feels dull in comparison to the mystery surrounding Geel’s world. As she handles Geel’s belongings, Mercedes begins to imagine the life of the woman who lived here—a celebrated author embroiled in a scandalous crime, living with a sense of autonomy that Mercedes herself has never experienced. She becomes drawn to Geel’s story, wanting to know more about her past, her crime, and her journey. This encounter with Geel’s possessions sparks a longing in Mercedes to understand the world outside her own, even if only vicariously through another woman’s life.
Stepping Outside Her Comfort Zone
Through this task, Mercedes starts to question her own life and her subservient role within it. Being in Geel’s space allows her to imagine what it might feel like to break free from the constraints of her own life. This glimpse into Geel’s private world offers Mercedes a momentary escape from her obligations as a wife, mother, and employee. The stark contrast between Geel’s apparent defiance and Mercedes’ own obedience prompts her to see her life from a new perspective, inspiring her to consider the possibilities of a different existence, one that challenges the routine she has been tethered to for so long.
Mercedes’ encounter with Geel’s belongings does more than satisfy a passing curiosity—it marks the beginning of a personal transformation. She starts to question her daily routines, the sacrifices she has made for her family, and the limitations imposed by society’s expectations of her. This shift from dutiful factotum to curious individual is subtle but significant, leading Mercedes to explore facets of herself that she had long buried. As she returns to her home and professional life, she finds herself more aligned to her own needs and desires, no longer as content with being a passive participant in her own story.
The Journey Toward Self Discovery
Mercedes’ journey isn’t one of immediate change; rather, it’s a gradual process of discovering oneself. The glimpse into Geel’s life offers her a newfound awareness of her own unfulfilled desires, the opportunities she has passed over, and the personal goals she had never considered. She begins to question her own identity outside of her roles as a mother, wife, and assistant, wondering what she could achieve if she, too, allowed herself to step outside the boundaries. Her daily life begins to feel like a series of missed chances, each day blending into the next without the excitement or intrigue that Geel’s life seems to embody. This reflection stirs something within Mercedes, pushing her to envision a life where she can be more than the supporting character in others’ stories.
The journey to Geel’s apartment proves to be a catalyst for Mercedes, igniting a newfound courage to look beyond her daily confines. The mystery surrounding Geel and her scandalous life compels Mercedes to challenge her own beliefs and roles, questioning why she has settled for less. Her admiration for Geel’s boldness serves as an inspiration, planting seeds of independence in a woman who has spent her life serving others. Though the path ahead is uncertain, Mercedes’ growing curiosity and longing for change suggest that her life may be on the verge of a quiet yet profound transformation.
Stepping into a Different World
The moment Mercedes steps into Maria Carolina Geel’s luxurious apartment, she’s confronted with an environment that’s the polar opposite of her own modest, cramped home. Geel’s apartment is vast, beautifully furnished, and decorated with the highest-quality fashion pieces and ornaments that exude sophistication and wealth. Every detail, from the plush furniture to the designer clothes draped across chairs, speaks of a life filled with luxury and creativity, everything Mercedes has long been denied. For Mercedes, a paralegal used to sacrificing her own needs for those of her husband, children, and employer, the sight of this opulent, empty space feels like a dream—or perhaps a glimpse into an alternative life she could never imagine for herself.
With Geel’s apartment keys entrusted to her, Mercedes has permission—if only ostensibly—to access this space whenever needed. Initially, her intentions are selfless and dutiful: she comes to water the plants, tidy up, and ensure everything remains in order while Geel is away. But as she returns time and again, a shift begins to take place. The allure of Geel’s world, a world far removed from Mercedes’ daily drudgery, grows irresistible. Slowly, Mercedes allows herself to explore beyond her initial responsibilities, venturing deeper into the private spaces of Geel’s home and, by extension, her life.
From Duty to Self-Indulgence
As Mercedes begins to assert herself, her rounds start to transform from simple pan medical check ups to wholeness providing visits. Geel’s place is not just a high class apartment for her; it is now also a way out of the normality she has become used to. Before long, she finds herself enjoying Geel’s Stay, probably more than Geel. She reads the literature contained in Geel’s shelves, comprehension of which provides insight into her character and intellect. Engaging, she shuffles into Geel’s king size bed, pleasantly immersed in warmth and space, comforts lacking in her life.
At last, Mercedes’ passion towards Geel’s life seems to become more material. She begins to put on the luxurious designer garments that Geel owns—expensive, beautiful pieces that she will never have an opportunity or wish to wear. At first, she does it rated indoor in the apartment, but she later gathers some boldness and grows out of this stage and begins to go to work with the clothes. Whenever she is in Geel’s clothes, there is a difference in her. It’s as though she is putting on a new person, a strong person, a confident person, and someone who is not timid. Such clothing becomes armor, separating her with the usual day-to-day life and letting her follow the trail of a daring and free woman, though just for a while.
In Geel’s apartment, Mercedes discovers an escape from everything that seems constraining in her life. It is a shelter where risk and ‘freedom’ taken-in excess is absent; where overwhelm coming from familial duties, boredom from office life and pressure from the society do not exist. This is the first time that she is able to enjoy a feeling of freedom that she has never experienced in her life.
Shaping a New Identity
During her adventures at Geel’s apartment, Mercedes starts to enjoy the autonomy and the liberty she had craved. Every piece that she touches, be it clothes or books, or furniture, adds to the considerably impressive confidence levels that come with this experience. It dawns on her that there exists a woman within her who can be more than a biographical portraits of a wife, mother, and even an employee, but an accomplished woman with wants, ambitions, and a life outside of servitude. In Geel’s place, she has that brief peek into the alternative world that she can create for herself, the one where she is not boxed into pre-defined roles but chooses who she wants to be.
While Mercedes knows this experience is fleeting, the impact on her psyche is profound. The brief moments of luxury, the time spent alone in a space that symbolizes freedom, and the act of trying on a new identity allow her to see possibilities she had previously buried. Even if she must eventually return to her life as it was, Mercedes can no longer ignore the longing within her. The taste of independence, even in borrowed form, has ignited a change in her perspective that cannot be undone.
As Mercedes continues these visits, she becomes increasingly aware of the divide between her real life and the version of herself she experiences within Geel’s walls. She begins to question if she can carry this newfound strength and self-confidence back into her own life, even as the reality of her responsibilities and limitations loom large. This internal conflict grows, highlighting the tension between who she is and who she desires to become. The apartment has shown her a different path, but whether she can translate that empowerment into her daily existence remains an open question.
A Quiet Rebellion
Through her time in Geel’s apartment, Mercedes has embarked on a quiet but powerful rebellion against the constraints that define her life. This space, filled with luxury and freedom, has given her the courage to imagine a different future—one where she is not merely a supporting character but the author of her own story. While she may not be able to hold onto this transformation forever, the experience of stepping into Geel’s life, even temporarily, has offered her a new standpoint on what might be possible.
In the end, Mercedes’ journey is more than just an exploration of another woman’s lifestyle; it’s an awakening. She has crossed a boundary that, even if temporary, has shown her the potential for change. Whether she continues on this path or retreats back into her old life, the experience will forever shape her understanding of herself. Through her time in Geel’s apartment, Mercedes has glimpsed a life of empowerment and autonomy, planting a seed of possibility for her own journey toward self-realization.
Crafting a Daylight Noir
In Her Place sets itself up as a psychological thriller reminiscent of Hitchcock’s most intriguing work, where reality and fantasy collide. The film’s heightened visual style amplifies Mercedes’ inner turmoil and her fleeting escapes into fantasy. Sergio Armstrong’s gauzy cinematography bathes scenes in a soft, dreamlike glow, giving every moment an almost ethereal quality that aligns with Mercedes’ desire for escapism. This “daylight noir” aesthetic is further enhanced by Rodrigo Bazaes Nieto’s polished production design and Muriel Parra’s flawlessly tailored costumes, all of which evoke an atmosphere of eerie elegance.
While Armstrong’s cinematography lends an air of fantasy to Mercedes’ life, there’s also a digital sharpness to the imagery that subtly undermines the illusion. This slight tension between old-world glamor and modern digital sheen reflects Mercedes’ blurred sense of reality, even if she herself remains blissfully unaware of it. Mercedes is trapped within a world that appears polished and perfect but carries subtle signs of artificiality, mirroring her own desire to escape from her humdrum life into one of mystery and sophistication.
Adding a layer of irony, Mercedes’ newfound liberation is entirely dependent on a man’s impulsive crime. Geel’s shocking murder of her lover becomes the catalyst for Mercedes’ exploration of an alternate life, one in which she adopts a confident, liberated persona. This twist is imbued with a mordant wit, suggesting that Mercedes’ freedom is not truly her own but something borrowed, granted to her only by another’s misfortune. This duality is both unsettling and amusing, hinting at the tragicomic nature of her “liberation.”
Holding Back from the Darker Depths
The screenplay, crafted by Inés Bortagaray and Paloma Salas, lays the foundation for an intense psychodrama but ultimately holds back from diving into the story’s darker undercurrents. Rather than plunging into the shadowy complexities of Mercedes’ double life, the script skirts around the edges, opting for a lighter portrayal of her experience. This choice creates a narrative that teases at obsession without fully embracing it, keeping Mercedes’ interest in Geel’s life on the “safe” side of fascination.
Where there could be moments of moral ambiguity or psychological conflict, the script instead paints Mercedes as a plucky, curious character. Her double life remains free from serious repercussions, never crossing into territory that would have blurred the lines between fantasy and reality in a provocative way. This lack of consequence flattens the emotional stakes, leaving viewers without the thrilling discomfort typical of Hitchcockian suspense, where characters are often forced to confront the shadows within themselves.
Elisa Zulueta’s performance as Mercedes adds to the film’s lighthearted tone. Her portrayal of Mercedes as a perpetually upbeat character brings a brightness to the role, but this cheery approach somewhat undercuts the story’s potential for tension and introspection. While Mercedes is certainly curious and enchanted by Geel’s life, Zulueta’s interpretation keeps her from diving into the obsessive depths that might have made her character’s journey more compelling. Mercedes’ escapades in Geel’s apartment remain playful rather than dark, portraying her double life as more of a whimsical detour than a descent into a complex psychological state.
Unfulfilled Promises
Ultimately, In Her Place presents a rich premise that feels somewhat underutilized in its current form. The story of Mercedes’ exploration of Geel’s life and her subsequent self-realization might have been more effective as a short film, where the narrative could focus on a concise, powerful arc. Alternatively, Geel’s real-life story—the scandal, the crime, and the aftermath—could serve as the basis for a compelling documentary or biopic that examines her experiences in depth. Despite Mercedes’ personal transformation, it’s Geel’s story, with all its complexity and scandal, that lingers in the mind after the credits roll.
While In Her Place explores Mercedes’ journey toward self-awareness, the film leaves audiences more intrigued by the woman whose life she briefly inhabits. Geel’s tragic, scandalous story—her bold act, her incarceration, and her literary reflection—has all the elements of an unforgettable narrative. In comparison, Mercedes’ arc, though touching, feels secondary, a reaction to Geel’s extraordinary life rather than a complete narrative on its own. As the film concludes, it’s Geel’s presence that haunts the screen, her story a tantalizingly untapped well of drama and intrigue.
Conclusion
In Her Place offers a layered and thought-provoking look at Maria Carolina Geel’s life, blending real events with fictional elements that aim to capture the essence of this scandalous story. While the character of Mercedes may not achieve the depth one might expect, her role as a narrative proxy allows Alberdi to present Geel’s story through a lens of admiration and intrigue. The film navigates the intricacies of passion, crime, and redemption, presenting Geel as both a product of her time and a woman who defied societal boundaries through her art. With In Her Place, Alberdi continues her exploration of complex human experiences, offering audiences a story that is as provocative as it is insightful.
