Jeder gegen jeden

An armed robbery of a bank goes badly wrong on a rainy day in Valencia. The fallout ends up revealing high level political corruption.

This Spanish crime-thriller is one which twists its genre framework around the all too real Spanish economic recession, in which many people are still suffering. As such, it has a few political points to make while delivering a muscular crime story. It possibly is a little too dialogue heavy for its own good at times and consequently it does lose a bit of momentum as it goes forward but its overall a pretty solid bit of genre film-making with a conscience. It features an animated Rodrigo De la Serna (The Motorcycle Diaries (2004)) in the role of the lead thief, The Uruguayan.

I liked the first half. Acting, cinematography, tension...etc. Then, around the half point, the movie becomes filled with too many characters and dialogue, and totally lost the rhythm.

What a pity...

In Spain, there is the belief that corruption is an everyday occurrence (not only there, of course). "Cien años de perdón" uses this as the MacGuffin in a heist movie that starts OK but ends making no sense and with too many stupid twists.

Six thieves get into a bank in Valencia, in the East of Spain, and take 30 people as hostages. Pretty soon we discover that money or jewels are not the reason behind the heist, but a hard-drive with information about some high-ranking politicians. The police, the politicians, the thieves, the director of the bank... all their interests will intertwine while the tensions rise.

The idea is simple, and it could have been a good action/mystery movie. However, the plot twists are risible, the pace too slow and shaky, and the direction lifeless, wasting a good bunch of actors along the way, like the always reliable Luis Tosar. The characters keep lying to each other for no reason, but not only so, they keep taking silly decisions based on whims, and the moments that the plot uses to raise the tension are poor and make for the typical: turn-the-car-around! situations.

A disappointment.

I was excited to see the film because of Tosar in one of the main roles. Wasn't disappointed. Even when he isn't the main pivot point of the story (in this case, it was Rodrigo De la Serna), he manages to give an outstanding performance.

Onto the film though: I thought it was a solid, fast-paced drama flick with a hint of action and some occasional comedic touches, but don't get me wrong - it's thrilling right to the very end. My criticism with it is that I can divide the film into three sections: fast, slow, and fast. The middle part felt a little out of place, with excessive dialogue.

Nonetheless, the acting was superb from the main characters, the photography and color schemes were on point, the dialogue was quick and snappy, without clichés, and the lead roles are very well thought and portrayed. Magnificent acting by Rodrigo De la Serna and Luis Tosar. Solid 7.5 out of 10.

I found this movie by accident at my local theatre. it wasn't even reviewed in the ny times. luis tosar is his usual manly self, aided by Rodrigo de la serna in this, you've seen it all before bank heist film. it's still fun, it's in Valencia, spain and it moves along quickly. in addition to robbing the bank and its safe deposit boxes, Rodrigo is looking in box 314 for something which could implicate high up politicos in the Spanish government. complications ensue. nothing seems to go as planned. luis and rodrigo have great chemistry. the cinematography is sharp. compared to most of the mediocre movies released by Hollywood this summer this is a refreshing treat.