If the plot of the Argentine soaper “Puzzle” seems familiar, that’s because it’s nearly identical to the story in the French movie “Queen To Play,” which had a modest run here in April.
The main difference is that the Gallic film concerns people obsessed with chess, while the other is about folks turned on by solving elaborate jigsaw puzzles.
Director-writer Natalia Smirnoff’s feature debut, “Puzzle” opens with a 50th-birthday party for unhappy housewife Maria, portrayed by Maria Onetto, star of the infinitely better “The Headless Woman,” in which she excelled as a motorist possibly involved in a hit-run car accident.
Among the birthday gifts for Maria is a puzzle depicting Egyptian Queen Nefertiti. Maria quickly completes it and discovers she has a talent for doing so.
Soon Maria’s hobby becomes an obsession, and she answers a note about a puzzle tourney posted in a store by Roberto (Arturo Goetz).
They bond, and soon are making plans to compete in the world puzzle championship in Germany.
Maria’s newfound interest doesn’t go over big with her husband, Juan (Gabriel Goity), who believes a wife’s place is in the house, cooking and cleaning.
Will Maria leave Juan for Roberto, who turns out to be a womanizing cad? Like the rest of the movie, the answer is routine.