Clandestinos

A decent story of love, with few nice sparkles. A teenager, with two mates, escapes from jail . His purpose is precise and some moving - to impress his boyfriend. Some violence, some sensuality , some houmor and a simple story, with few dramatic and few sweet moments working just well.

Israel Rodriguez knows, very well, to explore his character and, in good measure, this is the main virtue of film.

Because it is only the story of a kind of honest young guy looking for fix the past , seduced by paternal figure and making not the most inspired choices.

The result, just a nice film for precise way to remind simple but significant things defining the univers of an age.

"Clandestinos" is a very different and extremely cool film that combines the theme of terrorism with a very odd love story. Three boys escape from a youth prison in Spain, and head for the city of Madrid. Xabi and Joel, both Spanish, and an Arabic boy named Driss, quickly meet up with some eccentric people on the road. Joel, and the very cute and lovable Driss have no trouble hooking up with a couple girls that don't at all mind if the two handsome guys stay with them. The quietly intense Xabi, however, is dealing with some darker demons, and his personal reason for escaping the prison soon becomes apparent. It seems that an older man involved in an extremist left-wing group has influenced the impressionable Xabi, and now the boy is out to impress his much-older lover. "Clandestinos" deals with a very unique kind of love relationship. Xabi sees in his older lover, a kind of father figure. Many who see this special film might wonder why a young and healthy guy like Xabi would be so in love with a man more than twice his age, but it is easy to see that Xabi seeks a kind of approval that one might seek from his father. The love between the terrorist and Xabi, and later, between Xabi and the cop, are handled in a very believable way. The acting all around is excellent, and the story never loses it's way for a moment. Produced with a small budget, "Clandestinos" is something that no mainstream Hollywood company would go near. This is real, "renegade" film-making. I'm not sure who the intended audience was here, but this is what makes this one so unique. Not to mention, Xabi, Driss, and Joel are three characters that are difficult to forget. Excellent action/thriller/love story from Spain, made with a lot of style and energy. In fact I can honestly say that "Clandestinos" is the coolest and craziest film i have seen in a while. Terrorism and romance, mixed in with some comic overtones... I don't think there is another film like this one... oh, and Driss? Whenever you get tired of that fatty kitty girlfriend, I am available baby!

A thriller of sorts that exceeds budgetary restrictions with excellent actors who give earnest portrayals and are also easy on the eyes. The three main actors are comfortable and believable in their roles, ditto the ensemble cast especially the "fatty kitten". The direction maintains an enjoyable pace and the story is not lost in translation. After escaping from a dentition center our three teen miscreants are on the path to survival and for one a quest to prove themselves. the film highlights the usual (but by no means boring) aspects of teen life - peer pressure, individuality and sexuality. An interesting aspect in post 9/11 world is terrorism. The film was watchable and had closure and despite having some questionable pedophilia over tones an admirable and worth a look film.

A story well told, easy to follow and that gives a different perspective on controversial topics: immigrants, young offenders, terrorism, homosexuality, pedophilia, male prostitution, marginalization, police corruption etc. It addresses these issues with delicacy and intelligence. Perhaps most striking of these film is the way it is capable of leading the plot for controversial issues, walking in the slums of Madrid, with some sinister characters that are mixed with other more humanized, all a bit like life itself. The film, even when it is notorious its low budget, is very well done and manages to keep watch following it. It's almost perfect from A to Z, except for one last scene over at the end. Highly recommended.

I found the characters very difficult to believe, overacted and tremendously stereotypical.

It seems like the person who wrote this movie has no contact whatsoever with the realities it seeks to portray.

The screenplay has mistakes all over (I won't go in detail): many questions remain unanswered. The way the characters behave in different situations is incoherent. The situations and scenes are plain unbelievable (in short, the teenagers get away with just about anything, as if the police didn't exist and the people around them were blind).

Don't waste your time watching this film.