Verbo

I saw 25 movies at this years edition of Sitges International Film Festival and none so tedious, boring and utterly pretentious as "Verbo". As the movie takes its first hesitating steps, director Eduardo Chapero-Jackson manages to keep some level of interest alive and the story about Sara - the archetype of the misunderstood teenager, who feels unfairly treated by just about everyone - starts off as somewhat highschoolesque, but still with a touch of that characterizing European realism, that usually puts French and German productions at the top of my list.

What is remotely interesting for 10 minutes has however faded completely after 20, and when 45 minutes has passed you just wish the horrid composition to be over. The hole thing is oh so predictable (even for the newly awakened cineast or random film watcher), filled with ridiculous moral preachings and bad acting. Add some animated segments accompanied by horrendous hip-hop music (a huge incongruence compared to the rest of the movie) and you have a recipe for disaster.

If I learned anything from this movie, it was not that suicide is bad, but rather that subjectiveness have conquered definitively: otherwise no one would clap this drivel!

Hiya All I don't usually feel any need to write a review about any film. But after seeing this one and liking it so much in spite of the poor ratings I felt compelled to offer my thoughts, no in fact feelings for this film which are very positive... Some just wont get this film, find it predictable and not their cup of tea. I would suggest those viewers are the non-spiritual type, person without a spark of creativity... an organic robot of sorts, of which there are unfortunately at least two thirds of the population fall into this category... this movie deals with fundamental truths about our modern society and how there is an underlying battle for our souls going on right under our noses.. its a shamanic thing, a spiritual thing, a soul thing.. this movie is slow and gradual and moving in its open unpretentiousness... its real... and vital to those who still listen to their heart!! wake up beings! you are not people, you are consciousness having an experience of physicality! enjoy the ride!!! but remember its just a dream.. check out Thirteenth Floor and Dark City also.

This is a noteworthy film. The movie is more complex and rich that you can think just by a shallow or quick consideration. This film calls for meditation and careful consideration. It is not only a reflection on the teenage struggle for identity. It is also a serious declaration about the vacuity of contemporary society, and how urban culture is in many occasions the ultimate refuge to look for spiritual feed and support. It is not a pretentious film, rather it is a sincere one.

Graffiti and hip-hop are not simple hobbies, the film tells us, but - as a cultural expression - they constitute an emanation of the human soul trying to make their way from the depths of this diminished world to the arena of the people's consciousness. This idea is used in the image system of the film when one sees graffiti extending on the city walls coming from the soil.

The use of animation with a Japanese look in some sequences of the film is really beautiful and coherent with the overall work.

The acting of the lead actress Alba Garcia is well done and fits in the structure of the film.

The directing is both creative and effective. I hope this filmmaker can make his way to get his second feature done in a near future. More films like this are needed.