The Mole Agent – A Subtly Devastating And Brutal Documentary

The Mole Agent is one of those films that can be summarized in one line. An old man in his 80s is sent as a spy to inspect the conditions in a nursing home in Chile. This old man, Sergio, is the ‘Mole Agent’ and our protagonist.

The Mole Agent begins with a Knives Out-like intercutting series of interviews to recruit the perfect man for the job. Sergio is selected for his gentlemanly and lucid nature, but more importantly, he is healthy and can move around without help. There are some comedic moments here, and some stealthy ones too, which tempt us to think this is a conventional spy thriller, but we are soon proved wrong. Within minutes, we are inside a nursing home with the intent and objective of the protagonist clear – keep a watch on the client’s mother, Sonia.

The film uses comedy as a gimmick to attract and keep the audiences hooked because let’s be honest, it is rare that someone might be interested in a geriatric story to stick around for the entire movie. That is not to say that there are no comedy scenes, but those are scarce and simple Luddite gags of an old man. In an attempt to further maintain the audience’s attention, even though The Mole Agent is a documentary, the filmmakers structure it like a narrative feature, with us rarely seeing the filmmakers on screen.

In his interactions with the residents of the nursing home and daily reports to Rómulo, his recruiter, Sergio shows us the way of life in a nursing home. Someone waiting for their mother to pick them up (a dementia patient of course), someone waiting for their children and grandchildren, everyone waiting to meet someone interesting in their lives. And Sergio is that person. Everyone likes his gentlemanly nature instantly and people prefer opening up to him. Sergio is a man you’d be comfortable crying in front of. This makes him a bad spy, but as I said, that is not the point of the film.

The Mole Agent highlights the wounds of those who are forced to live in loneliness, confined to a building with no one of their own. They do form a community inside, but how can one live happily knowing they have a family outside who does not want to keep them together? Numerous bonding activities take place inside the house, but can it compensate for their family’s love? It forces viewers to ponder over such questions and evaluate, how as a society, we tend to push the elderly to the periphery. Since the film relies heavily on such social interactions in an elderly home, it is bound to move slowly, but that is just another reminder of how lonely and monotonous life can be inside such a place.

In a contrast to the life inside, the lush gardens and surroundings of the house are beautifully captured. These gardens become another place for social interactions and bonding as people roam and mingle with one another, often relaxing serenely in solitude or a group. The film often breaks away from the normal view to show us what Sergio’s recording glasses are capturing. While this may seem a little unnecessary, it is not jarring enough to distract us from the goal. The score and songs of the film are melancholic. The poems talk about family, love, and our mothers.

The best part of The Mole Agent is that it is very clear about the message it tries to send from the very beginning. This is a film about the perils of being forced to stay away from your loved ones in elderly age. It is about loneliness and all the problems in tandem with it by showing viewers a mirror about how we as a society fail to appreciate those who nurture us and love us unconditionally throughout their lives. Its third act is brutal and will break your heart. Sergio finally tells the truth that we all know but are too afraid to confront. The film and its message are especially relevant in such troubled times of a pandemic. Many of those who live in such nursing homes have suffered because of it, but a visit from a loved one is all it takes to soothe their anguishes and sadness. At the end of the day, that’s all they want.

While rarely making a blemish of an error, The Mole Agent is a must-watch for everyone. Maybe sit with your parents to watch it so you get to spend some more time with them too, which ultimately is what the film shoots for.

still courtesy of Sundance

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