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Directed by: Alejandro Amenábar Starring: Javier Bardem, Belén Rueda, Lola Dueñas I went into this film thinking it was going to be about a disabled man and his thirst for life. Can you blame me since the previews made it out to be that way? Well, needless to say, I was pretty wrong. The film caught me pretty offguard when Ramón said he wished to die. However, his wish for his own death does not put a depressed pall over the film. Rather, the opposite takes place. The film seems to become one that affirms life and shows how great it can be in the face of death. Yet the film doesn't go so far as to condemn Sampedro's desire and it treats it very poignantly, wrapping the viewer up with his journey towards his own death. More than a film about the morals of euthanasia, the theme of love and what it means comes up constantly. We see characters in love, trying to find love, or losing love. It's this underlying aspect of the film that really ties it together. Great performances by Javier Bardem (who absolutely lights up the screen even with his limited mobility as a quadriplegic) and his supporting cast really bring this film to life and allows the viewer to genuinely connect and feel empathy for all involved, from the senile father to Bardem's bedridden character. Beautiful camerawork and a score that is almost numbing with its fittingness are the toppings to this awesome œuvre from Amenábar. Very few films have the ability to cause emotional torment in myself and this film succeeded in that aspect and deserved the Oscar it won. RATING: 5.5 PROS: Bardem's performance, no heavy-handed morals, cinematography CONS: Um...the music was too loud at a couple points? ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0369702
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Mar 8, 2005 05:32
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I voted 0.5 because the movie literally does advocate viewer suicide.
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Apr 28, 2005 00:06
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Raises some interesting questions about life and death, and recognizes that there are no pat answers. Feels like a bit like a made-for-TV movie though, or maybe a step up, like a made-for-cable movie. Not that there's anything wrong with it -- the performances are good, and there's some flair to it, it just doesn't feel like something you'd go see in a theater. Rating: 3.5
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Apr 28, 2005 18:17
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The most impressive aspect of this movie is without a doubt Bardem's performance. You should see the movie for this alone, and until you do it's hard to understand what makes it so perfect. His eyes act, if that is at all possible. Remove everything else and watch his eyes the entire movie and you'll feel every intended emotion. 5/5.5
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May 4, 2005 09:29
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