Transgression

Thrilling and bleak Spanish film with high doses of violence and repulsion . As a mature marriage are about to face the worst night of their lives when some crooks burst into their gated home on the outskirts of a big city looking for easy money . Tension , suspense , and unsettling scenes when a marriage called Matthew (the prolific American actor Michael Ironside) and Elena (Maria Grazia Cucinotta known for¨The postman and Pablo Neruda¨) are assaulted by four burglars : the Spanish Carlos (Carlos Bardem , Javier Bardem's brother) , the Eastern-European Ivaylo (Fabio Fulco) , Helio (Yon González) and Tanya (Ivana Miño) . As they are being tied up while barefoot , mistreated and harassed by the dangerous criminals . As the burglars forcing Matthew to open his safe , but things go wrong and don't go as planned . At home Matthew and Elena are trapped and locked by the ominous band . The marriage is besieged and terrorized by the psycho-killer attackers and they then look for some means to getaway .

This is a violent picture about four hooded delinquents trespass into a mansion , holding a higher-class marriage hostage in their own home , packing shocks , die hard scenario , grisly killings , suspense with unexpected lies will come to light emerging twists and turns . Intrigue and frightening take over them all , attackers and victims , but then there cropping out treason , suspicion , at the worst possible time. The film packs a claustrophobic atmosphere , hair-raising frames , blood and gore . This violent story belongs to ¨home invasion¨ sub-genre , being filmed in similar naturalist and realist style to ¨Michael Hanake's Funny Games¨, ¨Secuestrados¨ by Miguel Angel Vivas and recently ¨Trespass¨ (2011) by Joel Schumacher with Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman that bears remarkable resemblance to ¨Transgression¨ . While the look is suitable eerie and frightening , the plot spreads to the breaking point and the ending turns out to be a little frustrating . Suspenseful and thrilling musical score by by Riccardo Eberspacher . Dark and shaded cinematography by Xavier Gil , filmed in little takes with camera over shoulder as well as Steadicam , at times ; and shot in Barcelona , Catalonia . The motion picture was strangely directed by Enric Alberich in his second film , here creating a rare and disturbing atmosphere . It's a strong film but had little impact, and didn't achieve success .

The main reason for which I saw TRANSGRESSION is because it's one of the many movies with Michael Ironside that I still hadn't seen until last summer but what struck me the most was... how could Italian actress Maria Grazia Cucinotta be in such an obscure Canadian production? Perhaps the director saw some of her movies and called her personally or she wanted to do something obscure as nearly everyone does at some point in their careers (tho the first option might be the most adequate answer).

Matthew (Michael Ironside) and Elena (Cucinotta) are a married couple tho Elena's son Yvailo can't stand her mom's stepfather for his brutish manners and that Matthew kinda brainwashed her mom's brain so one evening he sneaks out. But one night Matthew and Elena will spend one of the worst night of their lives when some burglars come to their home and have to deal with the couple. This caused some unintentionally funny moments as well and as it unfolds in the end it's fine for all.

Judging from the score of 3,7 and the only three reviews (two that give it 4s and one that gives it a 6) it might be a terrible movie but call me dumb, I kinda liked it tho I could see why nearly all the other few who dared to rate/review it hated it. First, Elena's son was like an annoying distraction that was probably put on purpose by the writer because he didn't looked at all like a normal human being. He was too whiny and cocky, but thankfully the movie then decided to focus on the couple and thieves. Second, the thieves look like the dumbest criminals ever seen on film because they deal with the couple like if they asked Matthew and Elena to come to their home and then the couple had to treat them well. It made me ask why the couple didn't bought some security cameras or house allarms for avoiding the burglars at home.

Overall, a decent home invasion movie made in the same year of TRESPASS with Nicolas Cage and Nicole Kidman but with lesser grade stars. Not that bad despite the aforementioned problems and for Italians out there, it's especially recommended because of Cucinotta's performance.

6 out of 10 rating

Assuming you don't have any pre-recorded TV series queued up for your late night viewing than the film Transgression is not a bad alternative to entertain you for 94 minutes. The story evolves around a slowly aging business man named Matthew played well by Michael Ironside. Matthew is not adverse from jumping in to some shady business deals with his lawyer to make his fortune and maintain his high end lifestyle to help satisfy his much younger and attractive second wife Elena played by Maria Grazia Cucinotta.

Early in the film after Matthew and Elena fall asleep they are abruptly awakened by four (4) hooded thieves who immediately take over the house with the intention of getting Matthew to direct them to his hidden safe and open it for them. The two alphas who are vying to run the crime spree are Carlos (played by Carlos Bardem) and Ivaylo (played by Fabio Fulco). Now it is a game of who has the stronger will and smarter wits this evening before their adult son returns home from an evening out. Will Matthew and Elena be able to hold off the masked thieves, or will the thieves use physical torture and verbal threats to convince Matthew and Elena to open up their safe to unveil their treasure trove?

Of course this type of suspense is nothing new to the crime genre in which a family is held captive by a bunch of thieves who squabble amongst themselves as to who is in charge and when should they take off before getting caught. The interesting bit that I liked was the mixed emotions that Elena had for her husband Matthew as the evening wore on and the pressure from the thieves increased. Was Matthew more concerned about the contents of his safe or the safety of his wife? You will have to judge for yourself after watching the film.

I give the film a decent 6 out of 10 rating more for the above average acting than for the common plot.