The Girls at the Back

ABSOLUT GEM!

MUST SEEN!

"The Girls at the Back is another Spanish gem. There are plenty of friendship films and shows such as Firefly Lane, Wine Country, Girls Trip and Bridesmaids to name just a few. But nearly all are comedy based.

The Girls at the Back has gone down a different road. Yes, there are some really funny moments, but overall this is quite a poignant series and one that really brings home the fragility of the bonds that hold us together in the face of something so tragic as a cancer diagnosis.

But despite this, The Girls at the Back is a beautiful series that is as uplifting as it is sad. It is about friendship. It is about love. And it is about the rollercoaster that is life. And yes, it is definitely worth watching."

I've watched quite a lot of Spanish language series as I'm trying to learn the lingo and it fits in great with me doing half an hour to 45 minutes on my rowing machine in the evening. This is one of my favourites, in fact probably up there with Entrevias. The acting and direction is superb, the locations are lovely- and it's great that the filter on the camera's actually lets the sun through. This had me actually having to stop occasionally my rower cos I was laughing. But the emotion in all of this is based on their friendship and that one of them has cancer. People who have cancer can still laugh along with their friends, it can help. I rarely watch a series/film twice whether in English or Spanish. I've just watched this for the second time and enjoyed it as much as the first.

I don't often watch Spanish movies or series, even if I'm European. But I'm glad that I made an exception.

Because this was one of these rare unexpected diamonds that exploded in light and warmth and joy and humanity and emotions. It might touch the limit of sugar, but those 5 charming actors makes it edible and loveable, so you have to surrender yourself.

5 beautiful women spending some days at the see on a vacation, on a sad background, but with each other to help stepping several steps forward and cross borders that needs to be crossed.

There is some nice Spanish touch here, some the time does sometime jump back and forth in mysterious ways, the sun is always shining and colors are bright and saturated. I'm not an expert, but I think I see an inheritance from Pedro Almodóvar here.

This is most of all a series on friendships, and finding ways to move on with your life.

So now, go and watch it for yourself!

It has been a long time since I have watched a show that was subtly smart. The Girls at the Back does not put up the airs to be smart, but it is. This is a smart show that stands in front of you, with full frontal nudity (pun intended) and yet manages to hide things from you. Yes, the frame is "one of them has cancer" and "they are getting to do their last wishes" but there is so much nuance weaved into their interpersonal relationships that turns this very basic premise into an intricate tale of human reckoning.

I am sure each person will connect with the story at a different level; getting nostalgic about your own friendships, getting melancholy about your last relationships, life and all of its unknowns, etc. This is the charm of a human interest story done well.

The story is not linear. It also is not conventional. But it is a glorious portrayal of a group of women who treat each other better than sisters, and go through life (cancer, and all but cancer) with unconditional love and regard.

I did not expect it to be this well done. But I was blown away.

Unfortunately, I managed to watch only 2 episodes and I have decided do not watch anymore. It supposed to be comedy, but it's not, because cancer is involved.

There's also one problem- two actresses are very similar in appearance and it's confusing.

You have to be very focused on whats going on, because it's episodes from now and past.

I feel, that there were too many characters. Too much talking. Too much noise. As I said, I lost interest at the end of episode 2 and I don't think I'll continue to watch it.

And I don't understand why I have to write 600 characters, when there is nothing to write about.

I felt like I wasted my time with these series.