Vuelve

Mr. Noel has created a new masterpiece, after 'En Tu Ausencia' and 'Brecha'. Noel is probably the most attention attracting Spanish cinematographer of the present. His movies are subtle, sensitive and both storyline, camera-work and music are astonishing. Astonishing too is the fact that all this,- story, music and camera -, are works of his own hand. Nevertheless his movies are made with an extremely low budget due to both lack of finance and of recognition. I wonder how long it will take before Art-house lovers will realize that there is a new Spanish master in our midst. 'Vuelve' is highly recommended (and so are his previous films).

In the middle of nowhere there is an old monastery, where a boy lives with his parents. His beloved mother is unstable and commits suicide, his father is aloof. At the same time, the real mother of the boy is approaching, but without success...

This is a magnificent, unique film about the torments of a young teenage boy, combined with elements of myth, roots of fairy tales, dream, and incredibly good music. Images and sequences like Caravaggio-paintings.

When you'd ask me how to compare this film, the answer would be really difficult. Trying a personal, clumsy, incomplete answer: Imagine a mixture of some images resulting from Thomas Mann's greatest novels (Buddenbrooks, The Magic Mountain) + the sinister parts of "Fanny and Alexander" by Ingmar Bergman + minor touches of "The Tree of Life" by Terrence Malick + some sketches of da Vinci ...

Fascinating! Intriguing movie where you get lost in the character's mind. Incredible level of photography, as he usually does the director. A film that takes you to travel through all the senses. It goes from one extreme to another making you feel a sense of tenderness to darkness rarely experienced. In my humble opinion, a truly remarkable work, which, to be an independent production has nothing to envy, and is at the level to compete with any "big production". The music ... what, Ivan Noel ... is a kind of genius unrecognized?. I really could not believe when I read the title, if one person can achieve this level of quality. Obviously at this point I'm not being very objective, but this is a credit to director, producer, composer and who knows how many more thing God. Please ... when more movies are coming Ivan Noel???

The title, Vuelve, means come back or (he or she) comes back. The storyline: a couple, Sofía and Gregorio live with their son Gabriel in a large property, formerly a convent near the town of Jesus María, Córdoba province. Sofia is mentally disturbed; she suffers of Cotard's syndrome (defined in the initial screen). Gabriel, who is very attached to his mother begins to shows signs of mental deterioration too. The situation is worsened by Gregorio's discovery that he has not clear rights to the property and faces the possibility of expropriation and eviction.

The movie begins auspiciously. It lays out subtly an atmosphere of dread and anxiety. Unfortunately, it veers into horror movie territory near the end. There also inconsistencies in the script (by the director). It is not understandable that Gregorio should leave his child, unsupervised in exclusive care of his mother and then alone. Gregorio seems to take care of a vast building on vast grounds with only one gardener and no domestic help. And so on.

On the positive side, cinematography (by the director) is good, very good in some scenes. Acting is good as well and music (by the director) is unobtrusive and fits the action. On the whole, however, a disappointing movie.

Another masterpiece from the amazing writer/director etc. Iván Noel. Wonderfully yet beautifully written and filmed. After viewing Ivan's other films Brecha, En tu ausencia, and ¡Primaria! I fell in love with his work. His films are so astonishing and written to a point that you'll watch them non-stop. Tremendous characters, story, and above all tremendous picture and actors.

Vuelve is a Fascinating tale some dramatic events and some special moments, but very full of emotion and intense moments. Renzo Sabelli, the bright young boy actor who starred as Gabriel brought on a beautiful yet joyful performance. It was amazing discovering a new boy actor like himself on screen he did fabulous job.