El crack cero

Enjoyable Spanish Noir Film with great performances by nice players who play well detailed as well as defined characters, interesting script and adequate settings. It deals with the moustached Germán Areta, Carlos Santos, who leaves his position as a cop to become a private eye in the Francoist and post-Francoist time. Areta nicknamed Piojo by his previous policeman superior : Pedro Casablanc, will carry out a risked investigation helped by Cardenas : Miguel Angel Muñoz, investigating motives about an alleged suicide .And Areta will stop at nothing to discover it . But things go wrong and terrible happenings take place.

This is a prequel belonging to trilogy about private detective German Areta, the most particular investigator of the Spanish cinema, dealing with his adventures, misfortunes and distresses. This is a good Noir film with a lot winks to Hollywood classic movies and to American Literature, especially writers as Dashiell Hammet and Raymond Chandler. In fact, this picture was dedicated to James M Cain, while El Crack I is to Dashiell Hammet and El Crack II dedicated to Raymond Chandler. These films pay tribute to popular detectives as Sam Spade and Philip Marlowe that are Germán Areta-alike. This Crack cero story has so much substance, suspense, intrigue and thrills. As well as an essential sociological and historical point of view of an important period, the final of the Francoist dictatorship . The rhythm of the film is slow-moving, that doesn't mean boring, neither tiring, nor dull, but entertaining. Starring Carlos Fuentes gives a marvellous acting in Alfredo Landa style, being helped by an ex-delinquent called Barcenas played masterfully played by Miguel Angel Muñoz, as they go into action by investigating a strange tailor who committed suicide. And outstanding a top-notch support cast, such as : Paula Echevarria, Luisa Gavasa, Patricia Vico, Andoni Ferreño, Raúl Mérida, Macarena Gómez, Cayetana Guillén Cuervo, Ramón Langa, Luis Varela, Miguel Angel Muñoz as Cardenas El Moro in same character who performed Miguel Rellán, and Pedro Casablanc in the former role played by José Bódalo, among others.

It contains a sentimental and repetitive musical score by Jesús Gluck, similar to first and second installments. Evocative and adequate cinematography in black and white by Luis Angel Pérez, plenty of lights and shades . Nicely shot in Madrid, where Garci usually shoots his fims, in fact Madrid and N. Y. are the cities of their dreams . It captures fabulously Madrid of middle 70s, as costumes, dresses, fashions, streets, buildings, boxing combats, meetings in which participants playing cards, cars.. The motion picture was well directed by José Luis Garci, considered to be one of the best filmmakers of the Spanish movie industry. Garci directs good and successful movies as his first trilogy formed by Asignatura pendiente, Asignatura aprobada and Las Verdes Praderas. Following other prestigious films as Sesión continua, La herida luminosa, El abuelo, Tiovivo 1950, La luz del domingo, Ninette. And even getting an Academy Award for Volver a empezar. And Special mention for The Crack I, The Crack II with the great Alfredo Landa and this El Crack cero with Carlos Santos. Rating 7/10. Better than average.

Filmed in black and white, the acting is pretty woeful, it's difficult to want to pay attention when you're constantly confronted with examples or poor editing. It's so bad at times it made me wonder if it's deliberate.

The script has dramatic style to it, adding to the abstract lack of warmth for the characters. I get that he is a PI but I hope nobody has ever needed to look into the distance so many times in 2 hours.

I think it's also generally inconsistent, revelling in what I imagine were seen as character development and setting the seen comes across as predictable. Even the music annoyed me

I have to tell that the both characters , Areta and "el moro" play Their roles decently But ..:: was there any need ??

Alfredo Landa is German Areta . The moments that put those Pictures into our favourites spanish films are now cliché after cliché and a Lot of nonsense characters ... Mr Garci, you love classic films and u made two with this character " el dedito "!!!

No need for this. Most of conversations are dull. The wife character it's one of the worst acting i've seen in years , for God's sake ! Didn't you saw that in editing room??

One thing i've liked it's the way 1975 Madrid is filmed. Ok that You've still got that touch that made u sin that Oscar , and if there's Allen for NY there is Garci for Madrid

Yes to another film but please .//: if the real Areta could stay in front of you , you'll know only with those ( like I'm gonna cry but I can kill you right now Landa used ) that it wasn't a good idea.