The Mole Agent

Now comes this year's documentary Oscar nominee with the most appealing title: The Mole Agent. This Chilean documentary was also one of the fifteen films shortlisted for Best International Feature. It’s a story that promises mystery and intrigue among old folks. Yes, really.

Maite Alberdi chronicles Sergio Chamy, an 83-year-old recent widower, as he’s hired by detective Romulo Aitken. His mission, that he chooses to accept, is to infiltrate the San Francisco Retirement Home in Santiago as a new resident. He’ll keep track on a specific resident, Sonia, and report on whether she’s being mistreated. Sergio spends time getting to know the residents, mostly women. His biggest problem is that, despite it being temporary, he might like it here.

The premise itself is appealing. We see Romulo interview several men before he meets Sergio. We see Romulo equip Sergio with a few spy gadgets for his mission. It sounds fun. The other residents are appealing people. There’s Bertita, Sergio’s most interested suitor, Perdita, a poet, Rubina, whose memory is fading, and Marta, a senile kleptomaniac. We spend quite a bit of time knowing them before Sergio finally meets Sonia. A few people might question why Alberdi’s crew is present at the home before Sergio arrives. But it didn’t bother me.

There’s some seriousness too. The residents feel lonely and neglected by society at large. Their kids, not even Sonia’s daughter (the one who hired Romulo), barely visit. The residents’ loneliness is the true enemy Sergio unmasks. His presence livens things up, even if it’s temporary. His relationship with Bertita gives her some levity in her last years. Marta’s dementia makes her thievery sadly understandable. Inevitably, a resident ends up passing away. It’s a lot to think about, especially if you’ve had a relative in a retirement home. 

The Mole Agent is ready to stream for free on Hulu. So take the offer now to meet a great real-life cast. It's one of the best senior capers you'll ever encounter. It's the best for me. Now I need to schedule one last nominated documentary before the Oscars.