Martín and Mariana are lonely Buenos Aires residents living next to each other without knowing. Mariana lives on the 8th floor but has a phobia about elevators. Her long-term relationship fell apart and she's isolated in her apartment looking for Waldo in the city. Martin is caring for a little dog that his ex left when she took off for America. She starts dating the dog-walker but she's distant. He spends more time online than in real life. Eventually, Martin and Mariana finally meets. This is a cold romance of two isolated human beings in an isolating environment. The biggest problem is that the characters don't get together until the very end. It's an artsy romance movie but not one of fiery passion. There is an artistic appeal but not necessarily a compelling watch.

The big city attract many people, who once living within them, are repelled by circumstances as they retreat into their own little worlds. That seems to be the case of Martin and Mariana who suffer from phobias and only seem to come alive in their respective small apartments. Martin, a web designer, discovered the internet only to become a prisoner of it, never wanting to go out. Mariana, on the other hand, ventures out to her job as window dresser for a store, and to her swimming sessions, but only feels good being home in her cramped apartment.

Martin and Mariana pass each other out in the street. No wonder, they live almost next to one another in buildings whose windowless facades face one another. One day they both feel like putting windows so they might get sunshine in their living spaces. The change they experience translate in looking outside to the throngs in the streets. Mariana has always loved a book where the main character is lost in the crowd and the object of looking at it is to find him. With the new window, Mariana is surprised to find her hero one day and that happens to be Martin.

A wonderful story by Argentine director Gustavo Taretto, who expanded his 2005 original short film of the same title. His story has a lot to do with the architecture of Buenos Aires, which he examines at the start of the film. Mr. Taretto loves the contrast between the old and the new, but clearly is in awe of the old Corina Kavannagh building, a classic Buenos Aires building still standing which holds a particular love story as the inspiration for being erected.

Javier Drolas, who was seen in the original short story again shows up as Martin. Pilar Lopez De Ayala appears as Mariana. She fares better since nothing much is asked of Mr. Drolas in the way of acting. Ms. Lopez is wonderful in the way she focuses on her character. Ines Efron, another talented actress is a welcome addition to the film.

The city as a metaphor for the characters' loneliness is lovingly photographed by Leandro Martinez and the music score was the work of Gabriel Chwojnik. The talented Mr. Taretto shows a keen insight in the souls of Martin and Mariana.

This is a movie about life and solitariness in modern capitol of Argentina. Urban chaos, modern way of life and new technology keep people apart which was the first point of the movie and title "Sidewalls" is just metaphor for those things. Sidewalls describes main protagonists lives of loneliness, displeasure and endurance. In the end Internet unites them and sidewalls lost its purpose which was the second point of the movie. Maybe the end is in some kind of way like in Hollywood style but it is not very bad flaw. This movie has in my opinion artistic qualities 'cause production, direction and acting really worked here. Storyline was good as well.