La isla minima

What a satisfying movie this was. I love hardcore crimers and this is a great example of its genre. It shows just how corrupted the authorities really were in the 1980's rural Spain without losing touch with its relatively complex plot.

The setup is familiar; two city detectives investigate a series of killings in provincial Spain. I wouldn't know where exactly this area is, but I'm guessing it's the marshlands in Andalucia (my bad if I missed any other detail, I was excited to see the movie so I might have overlooked something). Anyway, it all gets very much complicated as the investigation moves forward and more people are implicated in the case. I'm not going to spoil anything, but be warned that this is not just your usual straightforward murder mystery, as it is also a detailed look into a country shaken by political instability and corruption within the authorities. That said, there are some obvious similarities with other crime-thrillers like Memories of Murder or Red Riding (which I both heartily recommend), or TV shows like True Detective (although I'm not sure about this since I haven't started following TD yet).

The acting is more than solid, especially good are the two main leads. Pedro's character was more likable than Juan's, partially because he despises Franco's regime and its legacy, while Juan didn't seem to care much about that. His share of problems stems from some ugly acts in the past and that is reflected in his often violent work methods. Yet, there is no denying both actors did a splendid job and had no problem dealing with their roles' demands. An interesting bit are a couple of symbol-heavy scenes that include Juan and a bird seemingly staring at each other; one might ramble that the bird represents a new era for the country, a fresh beginning if you like (as it can fly away anytime it wants), while Juan is a man tormented by a violent past he can't escape.

But what I really delighted in was the exceptional cinematography. The movie looks fantastic and every detail is captured in beautifully placed shots. The marshlands are bathed in vivid colors, especially during the sunset. Camera-work is top-notch; I guess mr. Catalan really knows what he is doing. Thankfully, he was also rewarded for his work.

In short, this is a dark, expertly paced thriller that remains ambiguous even after the satisfying conclusion. Definitely recommended if you're into movies like this.

2014 is being a fantastic year for Spanish movies. Critics and viewers are supporting made in Spain movies that are shown month by month. La isla mínima is a very remarkable film whose highlights are the plot, the narrative structure, the characters, the beautiful locations, the way that information is given to the viewers, and the rain that falls and envelopes everything around a small southern village in the late 80s. Leading role Javier Gutierrez has been awarded as best actor in San Sebastian film festival, but my favorite one is Raul Arevalo, his disturbing look to everybody, and how he tries to introduce different investigation procedures and different ways of thinking in a society that is still stuck in the past. Highly recommended.

Well, this movie was not on my to-see list, but once I watched it, it became one of my favorites of the past year! The setting is ideal and the story is inspired. The acting from both lead actors was phenomenal and it's safe to say, that although the pace of the movie was kind of slow and sluggish, it manages to keep you at the edge of your seat for the whole duration.

I have to say that in the end I was kind of confused with all the Spanish names and who is who, so make sure that when you hit play, you're in a good mood and not sleepy. Cause if you are, it will be a bit difficult to keep up with who is who, etc.

The movie takes place around the 1980s and the scenery and the clothing etc, are really well thought of and executed. The way the movie evolves is really as it was expected for the most part, although there are plot twists that make sure that you don't feel like you own the whole thing.

I would really recommend it and I will stop here to make sure that I don't give away something that could ruin it for you!

Marshland is slow burn, albeit entertaining and intriguing police procedural that takes place in a rural Spain during 1980. In addition to this police investigation we have an interesting character study, as we get to know the two detectives Pedro and Juan. The photography in particular is splendid. There was something very trance like feel in this movie, especially the weather n the locations. The music too was good. I enjoyed true detective the mini series. Marshland comes very close to true detective. Also while watching this film, memories of murder came to my mind. The Superb photography, memorable acting, music that asks questions, simmering political undertones. The cinematography was excellent. Certain scenes looked like painting. I highly recommend this to fans of true detective, memories of murder, prisoners and the abandoned (2006).

Gripping and stirring picture , in which there's a fine line between genre conventions and outright clichés . The Spanish deep South, 1980 , in the Marshland a serial killer is on the loose . A series of brutal murders of adolescent girls in a remote and forgotten location bring together a pair of different Police Inspectors Juan (Javier Gutiérrez) and Pedro (Raúl Arévalo) . Two homicide policemen who appear to be poles apart must settle their differences and bring the murderer to justice before more young women lose their lives . With deep divisions in their ideology , these detectives must put aside their differences if they are to successfully hunt down a murderer

Formula thriller filled with gritty action , crisply edition , tension , suspenseful and lots of violence . This serious and truly original film with groundbreaking narrative results to be a fantastically intriguing story of murders , being very well done , swiftly paced and including a twisted screenplay . Interesting theme about a couple of cops who carry out their objectives by whatever means , including violence , slipping outside the bounds of the law through their use of force , coercion , lies and half-truths ; however this issue has been previously treated in many other films , especially American ones . As its story can remember the great American series "True Detective" , because they have similar situations with a misfit pair of cops and two parallel outdoors : American Southern Mississippi against the background of the Spanish south such as Andalucia and its Guadalquivir marshes . It has emotional or aesthetic resonance , even comforting in some ways , and partly because is just more attuned to nuanced variations on what might appear to be mere formula . The plot is simple but plenty of thrills and surprises , as two detectives to track down a killer who for years has terrorized a community in the shadow of a general disregard for women rooted in a misogynistic past . This intelligently made picture relies heavily on the complicated relationship between two disparate characters , both detectives in the homicide division to investigate the grisly killings cases . This moving motion picture contains stylistic boldness and energy , its evocation of a particular time and place , Spain of 30+ years ago , adding impressive images corresponding to various marshes of Andalucia , such as the ones of Coto Doñana and the Salinas De San Fernando in Cádiz . Very good acting from Javier Gutiérrez as a tough , arrogant cop abusing the suspects' civil rights and Raul Arevalo as an upright Inspector who displays his disturbing look to everybody . Support cast is pretty good such as Antonio De la Torre , Nerea Barros and Jesus Castro , ¨El Niño¨ .

Thrilling as well as evocative musical score by Julio De Rosa . Colorful as well as dark cinematography by award-winning Alex Catalan . Aerial photographs at the beginning of the film and others that you can see over it like a guided tour were digitalized from photographs . Being wonderfully shot on location in Coria del Río, Las Cabezas De San Juan , Seville , Andalucía . Some frames of the film are based on photographs of Atín Aya and Héctor Garrido , whose works impressed the filmmakers when they knew his work in a retrospective exhibition . This multi-prized film won several awards such as : Goyas , Feroz Awards, Cinema Writers Circle Awards , Fotogramas de Plata , Gaudí Awards ,José María Forqué Awards , San Sebastián International Film Festival and Spanish Actors Unión . The latest from the director of ¨7 Virgins¨ , ¨El Traje¨ , ¨Factor Pilgrim¨ , ¨Grupo 7¨ or ¨Unit 7¨ was masterfully directed by Alberto Rodríguez . To an outsider, someone who's not a fan of a particular genre , anything that looks somewhat familiar can be grounds for dialing the cliché police , but I think results to be an entertaining film with several scenes that'll have you on the edge of your seat . Rating : Above average , well worth watching , a real masterpiece .