Perfectos desconocidos

Seven lifelong friends meet for dinner, with the rule that all messages and phone calls they receive will be public to the rest of the table, revealing secrets that mess up their lives.

I was unaware of the fact that there are more than six films of different nationalities based on the original from 2016, I had already watched the 2018 French-Belgian version, which, opportunely, was very fun and charming, so much so that it started monotonous and boring, it gradually gained good contours in the As the secrets revealed, commas and so many secrets, a risky joke, a banal, even silly outcome, the message that remains is that the best secret is to keep them secret, well hidden...

"Perfectos Desconocidos", directed by Álex de la Iglesia, is an intriguing Spanish comedy-drama that explores the limits of privacy and intimacy in the digital age. The plot revolves around a group of friends who meet for a dinner and decide to play a dangerous game: share all the messages and calls they receive on their mobile phones. What begins as an innocent exercise soon turns into a revelation of dark secrets and betrayals between the characters.

The film's premise is witty and contemporary, addressing relevant themes about communication in the age of social media and the lack of privacy in an increasingly digitally connected world. Álex de la Iglesia manages to maintain a perfect balance between humor and drama, taking the viewer on an emotional journey as the characters face the consequences of revealing their deepest secrets.

The cast gives solid performances, highlighting the chemistry between the actors who play the friends, who go from laughter and camaraderie to tension and conflict as the story progresses. The film not only entertains, but also invites us to reflect on the authenticity of human relationships and the impact of technology on our lives.

Visually, the film makes the most of the dinner setting, creating an intimate, claustrophobic atmosphere that intensifies the drama and comedy of the situation. Álex de la Iglesia's direction stands out for its distinctive style and his ability to capture the dynamics between characters with a sharp and insightful sensitivity.

In conclusion, "Perfectos Desconocidos" is a film that not only entertains but also challenges the viewer to reflect on the importance of honesty and privacy in our personal relationships. With a clever plot, solid performances and skillful direction, this film is a standout example of contemporary Spanish cinema that is worth watching.

Perfectos desconocidos might not be known everywhere but in it's country of origin, Spain, it had a huge succes. And I can see why. The story is entertaining to watch with some good funny moments. It's a remake of an Italian movie, Perfetti Sconosciuti, that also did very well in their country. I didn't watch that one, because I live in Spain and I thought it would be good to improve my Spanish language so I chose the Spanish version. The cast is well chosen, with some well known actors from Spain like Eduard Fernández and Belén Rueda. The story is quite simple, all guests lay their mobile phones on the table during a meal and everyone can see or hear the incoming messages or calls. What follows is of course calls or messages that need explanations to their partners, as some guests have different secrets. Certainly worth a watch.

The plot is simple, but funny. The movie shows how complicated our ordinary lives can be and how technology has taken center-stage of our day-to-day lives as well as become tools for deceit and betrayal.

I liked this film when I first watched it, only now I found out it's just a copy (almost line to line) from his Italian counterpart.