El árbol de la sangre

I understand some people found it too slow but I am spanish and I am used to this dramas. The acting is good, the story is good but it develops slow. I did enjoy it. Let me put it this way, did you like..."all about my mother...". If yes, then this is a film for you. Otherwise you may dont like it

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.

A couple decides to write a story and solve the missing links among them as their parents have inter relationships of all nature and all in unusual way. They one by one solve the missing strings and unfold the what has happened really... To arrive at the final conclusion and so on the usual infidelity, Lesbian marriage, Organ Transplant, exotic love scenes, age difference couple, Oedipus complex, hanging relationships, tell truth to partner no matter what all possible covered . With typical bull accident usage of bull run Spanish background filmed. Cute couple and one Olmo character faithful to all human instinct crafted very well. Even the heroine of the film admires him a lot. By doing so too much of flashback is used at times a little confusing too... but over all when its a mystery to be opened it is expected. Director does that job precisely. Being very intense movie it will make complexities not easy to negotiate.

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.

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...