Planta 4ª

Even with the incredible modern findings in medicine, cancer still belies our power to do anything but hope for the best. And it's something no one ever takes lightly. Except if you're a teenager in dire straits.

The story has already been told elsewhere in these comments, so I'll turn this one into a different approach: the realism of our films (I'm Spanish, live in Mexico and been for quite a time in Italy and the United States).

When you watch a piece of work like Planta 4a, you're reminded that film is a medium where you print a story. And if that story is good, has human characters that make you feel related to them, is believable (even when the necessary suspension of disbelief just started as the lights go down) and, more than anything, puts you IN the story, film has reached its goal.

The film industry in Spain, in Italy, in France, or elsewhere in Europe (including the former "Eastern Bloc" countries) is much more independent, more personal, more lively and direct than your typical season's blockbuster.

With Planta 4a, Espinosa and Mercero have made a passionate masterpiece of compassion and sympathy out of a pretty serious subject: cancer.

I expect people who read our comments (all of the comments expressed here), especially all who are more in sync with Hollywood films, to dare and explore what our Old World has to offer. I firmly believe that European cinema is, again, at its best since the late '90's. This film is no exception. You'll simply find a piece of life brought into your own living room. Enjoy!

This movie is horribly underrated. It's such a gorgeous piece of cinematography. It makes you cry without being over-dramatic, it makes you think without being preachy, it makes you laugh at the hilarious lines delivered so neatly by the young cast. It's not a movie about cancer or dying, it's about living. I've rarely seen a film so original, about 70% of this movie is memorable and you can still quote the lines months after. If you think "oh another movie with sick kids that you are supposed to pity" you are terribly wrong. Their grief and anger is awesomely crafted in the few moments where it appears. The jokes are very funny if you can understand some Spanish, but if you don't you may want to check this out as well cos it's one of the best I've seen. And I've seen some.

Floor 4ª¨ (2002) is a feeling film about children with cancer treated with a touch of humor , despite its grave subject matter . It is a touching tragicomedy with romantic as well as hilarious elements ; including enjoyable performances and thought-provoking issues . As they live together as patients at a hospitals paediatric ward and learn how to deal with their illnesses, the experiences that they have , and the people that they meet . It results to be other of the innumerable stories to deal with dramatic deeds blending with comedy that follows the relationships of a bunch of wheelchair-bound adolescent boys - "the baldies" - who , and are determined to defy the distresses that life has dealt them . Retelling the tale of a group of children and teenagers who meet as patients in the children's wing of a hospital , and being based based on real events . Told through the eyes of a group of teenagers who meet as patients in a hospital pediatric ward, as the band of teens (led by Juan Jose Ballesta who gives a likable acting) relationship among them , suffering , playing basketball and enjoying immensely , too . There are new patients whose acquaintances are worth making as they vanquish misfortunes , there's even love to be found a few floors up .

Based on writer Albert Espinosa's own upbeat experiences as a teenager in a hospital cancer ward , flipping between tragedy and comedy . Funny and uplifting Spanish Dramedy with bewildering events , entertainment , amusement and fun situations . It's an agreeable , moving film in which friendship , comradeship and hope survive all , being perfectly acted and concerning the narration about a group of kiddies live together in the cancer ward on the fourth floor of a hospital and all of them growing up together have remarkably positive attitudes . Meanwhile , they enjoy antics , jokes , singing , dealing with nurses at whom they can poke fun , a basketball team to run , nightly saunters down the hospital corridors and many other things .

Atmospheric as well as attractive musical score by Manuel Villalta (El Palo , Oro De Moscu , Nada En Nevera , El Forastero) , including a catching song by the famous band Estopa . Colorful and appropriate cinematography by Rafel Perez Cubero . 4th Floor was professionally written (along with Alberto Espinosa) and directed by Antonio Mercero and resulted to get a big success at Spanish Box office . Mercero is a author of great hits TV series and several award-winning films . In 1970 he started working for TV as he shot several documentaries and some chapters for the series "Crónicas Un Pueblo" or ¨Chronicles of a village¨(1971) , a big hit in Spain despite its deep ideological content, risky for the period it was made in ; and specially successful was ¨the phone booth¨ (1970) (TV), which won 10 national and international awards, including the Emmy Award in 1973. Then he realized ¨Los Pajaritos¨ (1973), ¨Gioconda is sad¨ (1975), the series "Ese Señor De Negro" or ¨That man in black¨ (1975), La Noche del Licenciado (1978), and his three biggest hit smashes : ¨Turno Oficio¨ TV series about advocates in law , "Blue summer , Verano Azul" (1978) which became a sociological phenomenon and "Farmacia de Guardia" (1990) about an Apotheke . Other important film directed by Mercero was ¨Don Juan Querido Fantasma¨ , an amusing comedy well performed by Juan Luis Galiardo . Today, he still works for TV as ¨Manolito Gafotas¨ series and some of his latest work in cinema have been ¨Guerra De Papa¨, ¨Esperame en Cielo¨ a parody about a Franco's double , ¨The treasure¨ and ¨Hora De Los Valiantes¨ out the Spanish Civil War . His last film was ¨? Y Tu Quién Eres?¨ about Alzheimer illness and starred by Manuel Alexandre . Rating : Better than average , 7. Well worth seeing .

This story dealing with choices, love, life and the people that make them stronger was remade several occasions as national as international ones : A remake of the Spanish/Catalan show Pulseres Vermelles (Pulseras Rojas, in Spanish) broadcasting in Catalan language in TV3. Italian remaking "Braccialetti Rossi" (2014) . Netherlands recounting titled : ¨Kankerlijers¨ or "Sickos" (2014) . Switzerland retelling "Bold Heroes" or Stationspiraten (2010) . Chile version : Pulseras Rojas" (2014) MTV mini-series 2014 . And American rendition "Red Band Society" (2014 with )Octavia Spencer ,Dave Annable , Astro , Charlie Rowe .

This movie is perfect. Everything is done so delicately, emotions are stirred into the movie in exact dose without any excess, and it left me with such good feeling. The director is such a genius. Each scene is meaningful, there is no such thing as a drag here.

It's honest and realistic, funny and sad, inspiring not lecturing, it's such a blessing to chance upon this legend. Treat yourself to this movie and experience real film-making, not the usual Hollywood mumbo jumbo.

It should win an Oscar, palm d'or, in fact every other prestigious award on the planet. It deserves 11 out of 10 !

Everybody should watch this true masterpiece to appreciate my comment.

I don't know how I stumbled upon this film But, really the film is very beautiful.

Normally in India we don't have easy access to such films. So I have to download it from the Internet. Earlier i Thought It was a waste of time. But later I literally regretted for that thought. Really the film is very good. The Baldies are the ultimate characters in the film. Then the rapper he too is really good. Everyone has done justice to their roles.

A Must must watch film. Worth every second of your life. These little kids teach how you could enjoy your life at the utmost.

Please don't miss this film..... Regards