Burnt Money 2001

In Argentina, the lives of two men take a tumultuous turn after a chance encounter. El Nene (Leonardo Sbaraglia), a small-time thief, crosses paths with Angel (Eduardo Noriega) in the restrooms of a Buenos Aires subway station, leading to an unwavering bond that becomes the foundation of their tumultuous relationship. They quickly gain the nickname “the twins,” but their connection transcends friendship, evolving into a passionate romance and a partnership steeped in crime. However, as their relationship grows more complicated, a fateful heist sets off a chain of events that puts their love and loyalty to a severe test.

When “the twins” decide to join a group of seasoned criminals in robbing an armored truck, the stakes escalate. Their ensemble includes the boisterous Cuervo (Pablo Echarri), a seductive sedative addict involved with the alluring Vivi (Dolores Fonzi) and their cunning boss Fontana (Ricardo Bartis), along with the aging lawyer Nando (Carlos Roffé), who uses his connections to assemble a competent heist crew. During the robbery, a tragic twist occurs when Angel is shot by the police, triggering an enraged Nene to react violently, resulting in multiple casualties, including two officers.

As the Buenos Aires police launch a manhunt for the perpetrators, they discover leads that point to Vivi’s apartment. However, by this time, the gang has fled to Uruguay, leaving Vivi behind to face the consequences. Under pressure, the police extract information from her, broadening their search across the border. Meanwhile, the group awaits new passports, which depend on the dubious reliability of a character played by Héctor Alterio.

Taking refuge in a vacant Montevideo apartment, they find the waiting game excruciating, especially for Nene. Angel, described as hearing voices and showing signs of schizophrenia, has started to pull away from Nene, creating strife between them. One night, craving contact, Nene, along with Angel and Cuervo, breaks curfew, seeking a night of leisure at a local fair. Unfortunately, this escapade leads to further complications as Angel continues to shutter himself off emotionally.

During this tense period, Nene engages with another man but ultimately forms a bond with a prostitute named Giselle (Leticia Brédice). Amid growing tensions, Angel suspects Nene’s infidelity and grapples with jealousy. Giselle’s offer to clandestinely transport Nene and her ultimatum to choose between her or Angel puts Nene in a precarious position. Ultimately, he selects Angel, leading to a confrontation with Giselle, who spitefully goes to the authorities with knowledge of their whereabouts.

As the police close in, Nene, Angel, and Cuervo mistakenly believe they can evade capture, considering the value of their stolen haul. With spirits high, they prepare to defend their temporary sanctuary, and amid the chaos, Nene and Angel reconnect, sharing fleeting moments of joy. In a moment of quiet introspection, Angel even notes that the “voices” he hears have silenced.

However, the reality quickly shifts when their escape route is cut off; Cuervo perishes in a desperate attempt to flee, leaving only Nene and Angel to confront the inevitable. Faced with the grim reality that there’s no escape and unable to safeguard their lives or their fortune, they make a dramatic decision—burning the significant loot in an act of liberation.

In a heartbreaking climax, Nene succumbs to police gunfire while cradled in Angel’s arms. With the sound of relentless police fire echoing in the background, Angel continues to retaliate, ultimately leading to a tragic conclusion when the screen fades to black, leaving the audience with a haunting implication of Angel’s fate, as he seems to choose a deadly end at the hands of the approaching law enforcement.