Felices 140

Ufff... resisted 25 mins of the movie, never understand if this was comedy or drama, I've seen good movies from Maribel Verdu but this deffinitively not.

This one kicks off as if it's going to be another one in the Les petits mouchoirs / Little White Lies and Perfetti sconosciuti / Perfect Strangers line, with Maribel Verdu celebrating her fortieth birthday by inviting all her intimates to the dazzling coastal villa to which the departing house keeper gives her the keys.

Maribel's nephew, young Marcos Ruiz, is suitably impressed like his parents, Verdu's sister Miriam Alvarez and her abusive lawyer husband Antonio de la Torre (Marshlands, Ballad for a Sad Trumpet), failing restaurateur Eduard Fernández and his preganant wife Nora Navas (Pa negre), rich Alex O'Dogherty arriving by helicopter and old flame Ginés García Millán with his new girl fiend sexy starlet Paula Cancio who's waiting on a part in a movie with Ricardo Darin where she might even have scenes with him.

There's a bit of "Whose place is this?" and they do the "Money Money Money" Cabaret number together. Tension with Cancio, who is picky about the lavish breakfast spread as Verdu lists it out finishing "and you want alfalfa!" Turns out there's resentment about Maribel's sudden prosperity. So far unsurprisingly slick.

However things take an unexpected turn, moving the piece into a dark conspiracy. This has a number of startling moments - de la Torre spelling out their black mail or listing out the lack of people who might notice Millán's absence with stunned Cancio looking at them when they say "His friends."

It seems impossible that they are going to go there but the cynicism of the ending is alarming. The ever admirable Verdu is growing through successive Joan Crawford like screen incarnations making her one of the most interesting leading ladies. The rest are faultless. The technique is best A feature stuff and playing the action in the luxurious poolside setting registers.

Charming and sensitive drama starred by troublesome characters who reunite themselves at a birthday celebration . Dramatic film dealing with human ambition , domestic violence , friendship , relatives relationship and many other things . Including fine performances , perceptible and rousing musical score as well as brilliant cinematography in juicy atmosphere . This is an attractive and enjoyable portrait of big city people who have an appointment at a rural mansion . As a group of friends and family reunite at the fancy new holiday home of a woman called Elia (this role of Maribel Verdú was written for her) who is about to turn 40 and just wants to make everyone happy . A heartbreaking film about a woman faces a major lifestyle change after winning the big ¨Euromillon lottery Prize¨ : 140 million of Euros . There appears the astute but mistreating lawyer Juan (Antonio de la Torre) , his wife and Elia's sister , Cati , (Miriam Alvarez) , their free-spirited adolescent son (Marcos Ruiz) , Ramón (Eduard Fernández) , a restaurant owner in crisis , and his wife Martina (Nora Navas) , along with Polo (Alex O'Dogherty) . A bit later on , by helicopter it shows up Mario (Ginés García Millán) , Elia's old sweetheart , and his new girlfriend , Claudia (Paula Cancio). Later on , it takes place a tragedy and things go awry . Then , all of them are seriously affected after being involved in a grave happening , and it emerges corruption , ambition , vengeance , and silence . Elia and friends will learn to face their fears and limitations .

Witty and thought-provoking drama with enticing roles perfectly interpreted by sensational actors . A nicely crafted , well-played flick , founded on a perfectly calibrated screenplay whose emotional grip tightens as it proceeds . ¨Felices 140¨ is possibly one of the most engaging and underrated Spanish films of 2015 . This interesting as well as intimate story is a passionate retelling and a touching drama . It is a strong flick that contains emotion , family drama , nostalgic feeling , betrayed loves , twists and many other things . Being based on an anecdote co-writer Santos Mercero heard on the radio . The tale relies heavily on the continued relationship among friends , but it doesn't make boring but entertaining . The splendid casting is frankly well . Maribel Verdú gives a marvelously subtle performance as a profoundly unsettling human being who suffers the consequences of his wrong decisions . Ginés Garcia Millán gives possibly the most complex acting as the former boyfriend who returns to meet his old flame but accompanied by a new girlfriend . They are supported by a magnificent secondary cast , such as Nora Navas , Eduard Fernández , Marian Álvarez , Paula Cancio , Marcos Ruiz , and Alex O'Dogherty . The movie won several awards : Toulouse Cinespaña 2015 Best Screenplay : Gracia Querejeta , Santos Mercero ; Turia Awards 2015 : Special Award Gracia Querejeta . And nominated various Goyas : Goya Awards 2016 , Best Supporting Actress : Nora Navas and Marian Álvarez .

Colorful and adequate cinematography by Juan Carlos Gomez who has photographed successes as ¨Azuloscurocasinegro¨, ¨La Gran Familia Española¨, ¨Elsa Y Fred¨, ¨El Bola¨ ; being shot on location in Tenerife , Canary Islands . Emotive and lively musical score by Federico Jusid . Federico is considered to be one of the best Spanish/Argentinean composers with a lot of hits , such as ¨Club Incomprendidos¨ , ¨Francisco , El Padre Jorge¨ ,¨La Corona Partida¨ and for TV as ¨Carlos Rey Emperador¨ and ¨Isabel¨ series . Well produced by the great as well as prolific producer Gerardo Herrero who got to join a numerous team of popular and prestigious players . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Gracia Querejeta , realized in her particular style, being filmed in her usual formal and stylistic scholarship , without leaving a trace the brooding themes , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement . Querejeta is particularly known by making films about the underprivileged and dealing with provoking issues . Gracia Querejeta was born (1963) in Madrid , where she uses to shoot her pictures . Daughter of costume designer Maiki Marín and the noted producer , recently deceased , Elías Querejeta . Gracia is a notorious director and writer , known for ¨Siete Mesas Billar Francés¨ 2007 , ¨Héctor¨, ¨Cuando Vuelvas a Mi Lado¨ 1999 , ¨El Ultimo Viaje Robert Rylands¨ 1996 , ¨Una Estación de Paso¨ 1992 , being her most successful movie : ¨15 Años Y 1 Dia¨ , that achieved Goya Awards . And of course , this ¨Felices 140¨ that failed at box office . Rating : 6.5/10 . Better than average . Well worth watching .