L'arbre de sang

This gripping tale moves with fast intensity to weave a complex story, uncoiling to reveal the details that allow the joining of dots, just as the characters themselves unearth and share the family secrets which create the big picture. Vivid characters are played to the core with operatic emotion in their playful journey of self and mutual discovery. Story, settings, languages and and stunning fiming cover distinct regions of Spain to ultimately unite them in their viscerally connected way. This film is larger than life, totally gripping and needs several rewatches to gather up all the whirlwind strands - a carefully crafted and unique offering.

At first sight, the main good point is the title. Near the effort to offer a family story in its details, dramas, tensions, loves and secrets.

But, without can define the motif, the story remains beautiful but less convincing.

A story of roots, a house and a tree in countryside, two young people composing the stories of their parents in a large, fascinating in essence , puzzle.

The result a not bad Spanish film , with touches of soap opera and few scenes just lovely. I desired to define it as a great film. Unfortunately , I saw it only as a decent one, not ignoring my high expectations. But, sure, a reasonable work.

Watch this movie as an experience, instead of simply knowing the story : then it would make beautiful sense. I loved how the story unraveled giving itself in bits and pieces, slowly moving forward ..

The plot is about a couple exploring common history, involving their families. They arrive at this beautiful family house, intending to write a novel about their joint / connected history..

They take turns to narrate the story as one of them is writing it down. So this movie is about the story they are writing and what is enchanting about it is the way we as an audience get to experience this story..

Without giving away any spoilers, it is not a horror film if anybody gets any such feelers in the beginning..

The way the characters from the past interact with the characters in the present, through brilliant screenplay is a beautiful dance , that I as an audience enjoyed the most..

Inspire of having the feel of a thriller, this film is not an edge of the seat kind .. it has everything from beautiful sceneries through breathtaking locations, to beautiful characters .

I enjoyed how this story is told through the medium of cinema : hence an 8 out of 10 for this one..

Must watch for all those who love the power of cinema in telling stories...

Yet another great Spanish movie. It provokes you to engage in the storyline emotionally. The plot follows the pace of the events, which just overtake you. Crucial and underestimated subjects are discussed (or not) as secrecy, sacrifice, devotion, sense of duty, decency. It was a rollercoaster of emotions and thoughts. The amazing thing is, it embraces you to feel and think along the movie. You are allowed to create your own opinion, through your perspective, there are no boundaries, no villains or heroes. Just people following their intuition and feelings. The realism of it, contrasts the surrealism of the events, without the one overshadowing the other. I didn't find it slow. Each character was allowed enough screentime to be understood completely. I admired the metaphors, the symbolism, the use of tradition and its impact on peoples' insticts. That's what European cinematography is about. Amazing movie. Investment of time.

With a lot of branches and a lot of secrets ... and a lot of timelines too. You may wonder from time to time or start the guessing game (as to where this is heading), but it will still have surprises along the way. It will also have nudity and violence on full display.

So if any of this is offensive to you - you might want to stear clear from this. Certain things have to happen and the going back and forth (no pun intended) serves the story well. The acting is good and if you are into mystery you will cherish what this tries and achieves to do. Solid as a rock and another example of a good thriller coming from Spain