Héctor

Nice coming-of-age drama with fine actors , adequate cinematography , sensitive score and professional direction . A heartbreaking film about teenager Hector (Nilo Mur) faces a major lifestyle change after moving into his aunt's (Adriana Ozores) flat in a blue-collar suburb of Madrid . Hisaunt called Tere struggling to deal with her nephew , a silent and free-spirited adolescent . Tere married to Juan (Joaquin Climent) believes she can fix his nephew with his own style of life. This new home does not equal an attitude change , and when Hector is seriously affected after being involved in a grave happenings , both teenager and aunt will learn to face their fears and limitations.

¨Hector¨ is possibly one of the most beautiful and moving Spanish films of the 2000s . This interesting as well as intimate story is a passionate retelling and a touching melodrama . It is a touching flick that contains emotion , family drama , nostalgic feeling , a love story and many other things . The film moves in fits and starts most of which would be desirable , with some moments of enjoyment and others quite provoking and thoughtful .The tale relies heavily on the continued relationship among family members , but it doesn't make boring but entertaining . Adriana Ozores gives a marvellously subtle performance as a profoundly decent human being who just wants to make everyone happy and suffers the consequences . Damián Alcázar gives possibly the most complex performance as the Mexican strange father who returns Spain to meet his son. They are supported by a magnificent secondary cast such as Joaquín Climent as Juan , Unax Ugalde as Gorilo , Núria Gago as Fany , Pepo Oliva as priest Tomás , José Luis García Pérez as Angel and brief acting by Elia Galera as Sofia . Perceptible and rousing musical score by Angel Illaramendi . Angel is considered to be one of the best Spanish composers with a lot of hits such as Luna Avellaneda , Borgia , Hija De La Novia , Lluvia en Zapatos , among others . Colorful cinematography in juicy atmosphere by Angel Iguacel .

The motion picture was compellingly directed by Gracia Querejeta , realized in her particular style, being filmed in her usual formal and stylistic scholarship , without leaving a trace the brooding themes , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement . Querejeta is particularly known by making films about the underprivileged and dealing with thought-provoking issues . Gracia Querejeta was born (1963) in Madrid , where she uses to shoot his pictures . Daughter of costume designer Maiki Marín and prestigious producer , recently deceased , Elías Querejeta . Gracia is a notorious director and writer, known for Siete Mesas Billar Francés 2007 , Cuando Vuelvas a Mi Lado 1999 , El Ultimo Viaje Robert Rylands 1996 , Una Estación de Paso 1992 , being her most successful movie : 15 Años Y 1 Dia , that achieved Goya Awards . And of course , this ¨Hector¨ . Rating : 7 . Better than average . Well worth watching .

Gracia Querejeta is one of the finest Spanish directors nowadays, and "Hector", her fourth film, won't disappoint the viewer. As in her previous pictures, Querejeta portrays the problems of a family in which the father figure is missing.

The high point of the movie is the work of the excellent actors, from the leading ones (Nilo Mur is charming as the title role, and Adriana Ozores is as efficient as ever as his aunt) to the supporting players, specially Unax Ugalde and Joaquín Climent.

Although the storyline can be extremely predictable, the overall sensation the viewer can obtain is that it is a very nice, touching film.

Gracia Querejeta is a great storyteller. The story in the movie is pretty simple but you get to feel and understand what every character is going through. Everything sounds believable and natural. Adriana Ozores is great playing Tere, who is the link between all the stories. The rest of the cast does a good work as well.

I've seen this movie 3 or 4 times. I was raised in Madrid and this movie brings me the feeling of being there again. The neighbourhood, the people, the relationships, the lifestyle...everything is very "Madrid".

Looking forward the next Gracia Querejeta's project.

This is a film about the complex histories and interrelationships among a small group of ordinary people in contemporary Madrid. Adolescent Hector becomes orphaned at age 16 when his drug addicted mother dies in an auto accident. He comes to live with his dead mother's sister, her husband and her daughter. Just as he is tentatively making his way into a new family, his Mexican father arrives on the scene. The father, who had abandoned Hector and his mother when the boy was an infant, arrives to woo him away. Will he go to Mexico with his father? Will he stay with his aunt's family? Director Gracia Querejeta makes us care very much what Hector's decision will be.

Actually "Hector" is the story of three weeks in the life of Tere (great Adriana Ozores) and of those that surround her. She has just lost her sister, but they had been not speaking to each other for three years. Now Tere will have to look after her dead sister's only son, Héctor, and apart from that she'll have to face some troubles with her husband and her daughter, but specially sh'ell have to face a deep inner change.

This is a film with a huge emotional charge, it is so reflexive and relies on the strength of the words and of the dialogs. Is there any weak point? Yes, there is one weak point in "Hector": as in many Spanish productions the younger actors does not rise the occasions, and the guy that plays Héctor looks rather unconvincing.

In short: one of the best Spanish movies of the last year.

*My rate: 8/10