Now & Later

I could analyze this film as a critique of the American Dream and a very good one it is.

I could also point out the mass of very good social commentary and analysis of modern Western ethics.

And I'm sure the prudes will be put off by the very intimate sex scenes while the pervy types will be distracted from the story by them. So I could implore you not to let this happen and, instead, just allow these scenes to draw you into a feeling of intimacy with the characters.

I could also go on about how much the two lead actors must have put into this to bring their characters to life so vividly.

But instead I'll just say "Enjoy what is a very beautiful film on several levels".

btw I reserve 10 points for really, REALLY excellent films that stand out well above others. Otherwise I would have given this 10.

Explicit images (read nudity), but also penetration have made their way into mainstream movies (no pun intended). And while the term mainstream might feel like a stretch given to a low budget movie, this is not a single case of this thing happening. Low budget movies (or even higher budget movies like Nymphomaniac) do not hold back anymore. Caligula did that many decades ago, but back then it was more like a single case scenario (if you don't count some "horror" movies who had some explicit intercourse in them as well).

But back to this one, which is depicting a relationship and a financial situation that might make feel people uncomfortable (even more uncomfortable than two people having sex together, while everything is shown). There is drama between all the nudity and it does work on a basic level. The acting is a bit off, which might have given this a bit of a boost, but overall the story is decent, though annoying at times. If you rent/watch it for the obvious non-story related reasons, you might feel disappointed, don't blame the movie for it though - on the other hand don't expect this to be a superb drama

What can I say. Sex always sells. Good political touching. Straight up colossal waste of time. Sadly, any hardcore porno offers better acting and sex you might actually enjoy.

This is a very good film. I totally liked it. The plot is different; but one of the best I have every found.I specially liked the leading actress; not just because she is good looking; but because she is a talented actress. She does a great job to attract viewers to the film. The leading actor is also a talented person. He is totally justifying his character. This story is actually making us to think twice about our fast faced life. It influence us to explore the true meaning of life and living. Aren't we all chasing after a dream? Which sometimes making us nothing but zombies who don't have hearts. This film is one of the best I have ever watched. I recommend for anybody who has time to watch a film with patient.

Comparing the movie to the critic reviews is like talking about another film: this very true and provocative cinematique angle is nearly a threat to todays society, just because it is honest enough. Unlike what is written in the other user reviews, I think that the explicit sex scenes are NOT the main reason why this film has been chopped up by the critics, but they eventuallly add up to all its superficially called "negative points". Briefly:

1. The sex scenes: it is true that a sexually repressed society will eventually turn out being violent and its people being miserable. The film underlines the oxymoron of how we are "taught" to hypocritically "hide" our need for sex and love, as if it is something bad and anethical, whereas in the end, if openly cultivated, leads to self-fulfilment, joy and mental balance. And reduces hatred and violence.

2. The social point of view: The two leads are surrounded by poverty, social discrimination and injustice in what we think is our "modern equal world". And their relationship is indeed determined by those differences, as they both serve as representatives of two opposite social classes, the upper-class banker and the illegal immigrant. Poverty IS a reality and people ARE being exploited to death for others to consume and win millions. And the film cares to remind us that even if the two protagonists don't exist in reality, there are many many people who are like them.

3. The "we are the heroes" part: now this is a turning point in the film. Sadly enough, politics ARE a way of expressing power and greediness, and some countries/ people are the unlucky victims. The main lead, as a former banker, a former "master of the universe", approaches the most painful part of the movie, the realisation that our political leads may not be so "saint" at all, that our country may have erred, that wars are being provoked just for the profit, that a poor country's future may be a toy in the hands of those who are in power (financially and politcally), that people die for others to get richer etc... All those are issues we are trying to forget or neglect or doubt, and this film makes us look straight up to them, or at least it tries.

Some would rather look straight up to the provocative sex scenes, there is, though, i think, a natural coherency between all the issues addressed by the film (the sex, the politics, the freedom, the social critic) that lead up to a compact, intimate and philosophical end result.

P. S. Give it a try and watch it, with honesty and open mindedness. As all authentically non-Hollywood approaches, the characters in this film are not the great heroes we have to admire and immitate. We merely learn from them. Besides, for instance, I don't see why the sexual theme in "Vicky, Chrsistina, Barcelona" should be more justifiable, less shocking or "intellectual" enough to win an oscar and get plenty of praising critic reviews.