La flaqueza del bolchevique

(2003) Weakness of the Bolshevik/ La flaqueza del bolchevique (In Spanish with English subtitles) DRAMA

Adapted from the novel by Lorenzo Silva, co-written and directed by Lorenzo Silva that has Pablo López (Luis Tosar) accidentally rear ending another vehicle while he was adjusting a cassette tape. And after he and Sonsoles Lopez- Diaz Garcia- Navarro exchange info, he then learns that she was only exploiting the situation by claiming she was injured in the incident even though both him and police officer saw her as fine. So in retaliation, he then decides to make threatening phone calls from an undisclosed location so that he would not be tracked down as well as stalking her. It is not until while Pablo was following Sonsoles to pick up we find out later is her little sister, Maria (María Valverde) from high school, he suddenly then becomes infatuated. Meanwhile, Sonsoles contacts her friend, Alfredo (Jordi Dauder) about those obscene phone calls, expecting him to do something about it.

I do not get the love of this movie that kind of leaves viewers high and dry. The chemistry between Pablo and Maria was fascinating, but the last five minutes kind of destroyed that.

Pablo López is a dull businessman who engages in an unusual relationship with a fourteen-year-old, María. This will change his perception of life in a way he would never have suspected.

Based on a brilliant novel by Lorenzo Silva (who also co-writes the screenplay), the movie is quite loyal to the original text, although some pivotal parts seem to have been lost somewhere in between the novel and the script (the meaning of the title is not explained, for instance). Nevertheless, the writers are to be praised for their marvelous dialogs, which make the characters more real and unaffected.

The two leading actors (Luis Tosar and teen María Valverde) provide excellent performances. Valverde's performance is extremely unaffected for a debut, while Tosar once more shows his natural skill and versatility. It's a pity two fine actresses such as Mar Regueras and Nathalie Poza are left with not much more than a couple of scenes each, but the focus of the story is clearly and understandably set on the leads.

Given that this is only director Martín Cuenca's first film, I am eager to see what he will be directing in the future.

Overall rating: 8/10

An aggressive spiritually empty businessman in his early thirties meets a 16yo girl while pursuing a nasty vendetta against her equally jaded older sister with whom he has had a traffic accident.Whilst no angel herself,the girl nevertheless reawakens his long-lost idealism and enthusiasm for life but his egregious past behavior catches up and destroys them both. Does the older man-younger girl sound clichéd? Yes,but it is done with enough style panache and plot twists to keep you riveted throughout. Is the central relationship tacky? It keeps threatening to be but somehow manages to retain a wonderful sweetness about it despite the sizzling chemistry between Luis Tosar and Maria Valverde. Art-house relationships cinema at its best.

Amazing film about a relationship between two people from different generations. Well, the thought of an adult and a young girl is often disturbing but this is not about a sexual relationship but more of a psychological connection and deep mental attraction. It's those moments where two complete strangers meet and they themselves are surprised to find themselves appealing to each other in different ways. One is frustrated with his job and another is bored with her own peers but it's never that anyone of them was pursuing any such old young relationship. But it just happens. And it doesn't seem vulgar at all. Those who want to interpret it as vulgar can do so but this was more of a friendship, the evolving bond between the middle aged man and the young precocious girl. Superb acting and great directorial debut and definitely a story that is unique and unexpected but don't watch if you're looking for a Hollywoodish movie. It's not really a masterpiece kind of story but definitely different and still intriguing.

Embittered man in the thirties (Pablo), who is fed up of his daily routine and the society, meet a young girl (María) that brings him a puff of fresh air and makes him think that life has sense again. He knows he shouldn't do it but, he realize that it's fruitless to fight against that kind of feelings. The film is based in the homonym novel by Lorenzo Silva.

Fantastic performance of Luis Tosar (Los lunes al sol, Te doy mis ojos, Inconscientes...), able to transmit all kind of emotions with his face, and María Valverde, always innocence and freshness (I'm also in love with you, María), on her debut.

It made a lot of time a film didn't surprise me so, I strongly recommend this film to those that want to be surprised.