La flaqueza del bolchevique

Lively and emotive drama based on a novel by Lorenzo Silva , this movie deals with a special love story between a mature manager and a teenager . After crashing into the rear of the car in front of him against other driver named Sonsoles (Mar Regueras) , angry Pablo Lopez (Luis Tosar) begins arguing with her , who finally files for a wound claim against him . Therefore, the revengeful businessman starts harassing her and doing obscene phone calls . Later on , Pablo observes her younger sister Maria (Maria Valverde) in her schoolyard and falls for her . When he gets to meet the beautiful girl , his perception of life and friendship are utterly changed , but the events go awry .

"The Weakness of the Bolshevik" turns out to be a moving drama well realized by Manuel Martin Cuenca about a marvelous friendship leads into a tragedy . This is a thought-provoking as well as intense flick filmed with great sensitivity and feeling . It's an intelligent and touching story although sometimes is slow moving and tiring but is finely developed with sense of style and sensibility . Very pleasant drama filled with emotion , artistic scenes and plenty of sensitivity . The picture relies heavily on the unusual and tragic relationship between a frustrated businessman and a 14-year-old student , but it doesn't makes boring , but results to be entertaining . This is a pleasant movie plenty of good feeling , drama , stirring scenes and a peculiar love story . Interesting screenplay by the same filmmaker , Martin Cuenca , who often writes his own scripts , and sometimes with his friend Alejandro Hernández . This is one of those rare gems that does not stray from its purpose - to be a celebration of love and romance and a sensitive tale . Terrific acting by the great Luis Tosar and an attractive as well as newcomer Maria Valverde . Support cast is frankly well such as Rubén Ochandiano , Jordi Dauder , Enriqueta Carballeira and Nathalie Poza , among others .

Emotive musical score by Roque Baños , the soundtrack flows great with the film in every way, and creates an agreeable atmosphere in every moment , including a sensitive leitmotif . Baños is a successful composer such as ¨Fragiles¨ , ¨The Machinist¨ , ¨Sexy beast¨ , ¨800 bullets¨ and composing Hollywood pictures such as ¨Old Boy¨ . Colorful and evocative cinematography by Alfonso Parra filmed in Madrid and its Temple of Debod . The film was well produced by José Miguel Juárez , Alfonso Lanza , Antonio Romero and compellingly directed by Manuel Martin Cuenca . Martin Cuenca has established himself as one of Spain's most artistically astute directors , his works consistently evolving in skill and style . Manuel Martín Cuenca was born on November 30, 1964 in Almería , Almería, Andalucía , location where he usually shoots his pictures . He is a good director and writer, known for Malas Temporadas (2005) , 4 Puntos Cardinales (2002) , being his best movies : Caníbal or Cannibal (2013) and this La Flaqueza Del Bolchevique (2003) . Rating : Better than average . Worthwhile watching .

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.

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

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.

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.