If less is more, a lot less storyline would have made "Tango" a whole lot more.
Truth be told, this Spanish musical-drama is little more than "All That Jazz" for the tango crowd, except that its skimpy plot certainly pales in comparison. And that's a surprise, considering that "Tango" comes from veteran director Carlos Saura, whose "Carmen" and "Flamenco" were much more satisfying.
In fact, a good case could be made that "Tango" should have been a straightforward documentary. However, Saura (who also wrote the screenplay) throws in a half-baked plot that's supposed to provide context, and fails in the attempt.
Sniping about the story aside, however, the scenes of tango dancing (choreographed by several veterans, and lensed by Vittorio Storaro) are so fabulous they still make the movie worthwhile — if just barely.
The story follows Mario Suarez (Miguel Angel Sola), a middle-aged filmmaker in the process of directing — and evidently filming — a huge stage show that will retell Argentina's history through a series of choreographed dance routines.
But Suarez is beset by the constant advice (or meddling) of the show's investors, and he's coming off a messy breakup with his dancer-ex-wife, Laura (Cecilia Narova), who also happens to be the show's star.
Enter Elena Flores (Mia Maestro), a dancer who joins the show's cast. Upon first glance, Mario is smitten with the young beauty. Unfortunately for him, she's also the girlfriend of Angelo Larroca (Juan Luis Galiardo), a disreputable club owner with a bad temper.
This May-December romance is surely the film's weakest point. Frankly, Sola and Maestro don't make a very appealing stage couple. And the odd fantasy sequences (including a lesbian-erotic dance routine) are horribly out of place.
In fact, the story is full of similarly head-scratching moments, including a heavy-handed ending that may be considered a copout by the few audience members who try to understand exactly what Saura is trying to say.
But, as mentioned, the routines are so lively and full of passion that they may make you forget — or at least overlook — the dumb plotting.
"Tango" is rated PG-13 for staged violence, scattered profanities, sexually suggestive dancing and some vulgar references, and brief glimpses of nude bodies.