Km. 0

This film is a delight and somewhat of a surprise for its frank treatment of all kinds of sexual relationships. Each character has his or her unique adventure seeking companionship,love, or excitement during one steamy afternoon and evening in Madrid, the unifying element being the meetings at the kilometer zero marker in one of the city's plazas, from which distances to other locations in Spain are measured. There are various mishaps ranging from mistaken identities to a minor auto accident. Everything has a delightfully light touch, and this viewer empathized easily with all the characters in their amorous adventures, ranging from the neglected middle-aged wife who hires a gigolo to the young backpacker who wants to help a prostitute gain more self-confidence. The use of a wallet photograph to establish a crucial identity reminds one of Restoration comedies in which a portrait in a locket is so important to the plot. In so many ways Km.0 is very traditional and in other ways, as in its frank depiction of a variety of sexual relationships, very modern. My one criticism of the film is the relegation of Tristan Ulloa to a role in which the talents he displayed in Sex and Lucia are not utilized.

This delightful comedy follows the 14 characters whose plans to meet on an unbearably hot afternoon at KM 0 in Madrid become unraveled by midnight. There is the film student thinking he is meeting a cousin for lodging; a lady scheduling to meet a younger john; a flamenco dancer who thought he is seeing an internet date; a nerd planning for a first time tryst with a hooker; a girl shopping for a wedding to an unexcited boyfriend and a desperate actress hoping to land a part in a musical. Come midnight and the long awaited rain, all their expectations were met unexpectedly. Acting is low brow but very believable. Some spot on emotions (and funny) like when bride-to-be had an empty pistol shot at her head and the highly-charged nerd cum when touched by a gigolo. I thought the whole movie is more about the happenings in the Diner (where they all meet) owned by the reluctant groom rather than KM 0 itself but hey, you will smile and laugh along the way.

Watch closely at the beginning as the ensemble characters are introduced. There are a lot of characters and the interplay between them is superb. For being funny, the movie still has a lot of power to shock with dark humor. The gay content is very frank, very natural, and very funny.

Madrid's Puerta del Sol, is considered the central point in the city. It's a busy place in the old section of town. The plaza is also a meeting point for people, as it's the case in the film. We are presented about a dozen people that are more interconnected than we imagined, as each life touches another.

"Km. 0" is an entertaining film that shows some characters that are in search of discovering themselves as some of they embark in several sexual encounters. Some will pay off, others not too well. All the characters are affected by the heat wave during that summer day. Most of them will discover something about themselves and will make resolutions for changes in their lives.

The film credits two directors, Yolanda Garcia Serrano and Juan Luis Iborra, who have collaborated before and are also the screen writers. They work a lot on Spanish television. The ensemble cast do a wonderful job under the directors commands.

This is a light fun film with fast pacing that will entertain the viewer. The only odd note is the ending, which is seen from the would be director's eyes, as though everything has been a movie in the making in his imagination.

I rented this twice. I didn't get the chance to see it the first time I brought it home. Something about it nagged me, so I took again. What a truly enjoyable film. A few times I could see around the corners of the script, but many times I was pleasantly surprised. There's not as much of the Madrid scenery as I would have liked to have seen as I've never been there. But beautiful faces made up for beautiful places.

The story line where the older woman meets a male prostitute was an interesting direction, though the results were obvious. The portion about the dancer and the man he meets didn't offer enough meat to be really compelling, so I couldn't give it a 10.

Regardless of the flaws, it was just plain enjoyable. I really liked it a lot. Take this one home!