Truman - Un vero amico è per sempre

Movies are rarely about just one thing. Each person in a cinema is having a different experience and it is a subjective call for anyone to declare what that movie is really about. This is particularly so with the Spanish film Truman (2015). Described as a comedy drama, some will experience it as a humorous tale of deep male friendship; for others, it is about a man's love for his dog; but many will feel it as an emotional study about choosing how and when to die when all hope is lost. It is all of the above which makes this film an unusually intense multi-layered story and it is told with great warmth and honesty.

The linear plot spans a four-day unexpected visit by Tomas (Javier Camera) who has flown from Canada to Madrid to see his long-time friend Julian (Ricardo Darin). Both know it is the last time they will see each other and the time is spent helping Julian settle his affairs, sort out arrangements for the care of his dog Truman, and make a flying visit to his son in Amsterdam. However, what happens in this film is less important than how it happens. Many scenes are touching vignettes about small things that are overlooked when living at full pace. He bumps into a friend who does not know how to talk to a terminally ill man and another who does; there are wordless hugs between a father and son; and the meetings about Truman's future seem sadder than taking leave from human friends. Throughout all this, the story remains focused on the friendship between two men as they ride the emotional roller-coaster of knowing that time is short. They share humour and tears as only two old friends can, and Julian's portrayal of brave acceptance holds the story together.

Dramas about loss and grief too easily slip from melancholy to melodrama but there is little of it in Truman. Camera and Darin are superb in their roles, each articulating an emotional language that is expressed through facial expression and voice tone. They reveal their inner selves using minimal dialogue and the free-flowing etched lines on their faces. The story easily gets under your skin with its open, tactile and gentle masculinity, aided by the way that Truman serves as a bitter-sweet metaphor for grief. Julian's remark that "each person dies as best he can" will be confronting for many but this is one of several recent films that demand an honest conversation about dying.

It is not that hard to describe, I mean the entire story in a couple of lines, but scene by scene it embarks on the different level. A very ordinary tale that takes place in less than one week time, at a same time it catches your attention in a gentle manner. A perfect movie with the balanced contents. I admit, this is not what I expected, but still delivered the same quality differently. It takes us to the various locations to capitalise the concept and gives an idea how the real people in the real world express during their distressed time. I think I kind of liked its rich screenplay and the overall production quality.

The movie was very slow, definitely need patience to watch it. It opened in a snowy Canadian residential area and soon begins to follow a middle ages man called Tomas saying goodbye to his family to board a plane for Madrid to meet his old pal, Julian. This unexpected visit gives an opportunity for Julian, a single father to open his heart to talk about the future plan, especially for his loving dog, Truman. The rest of the movie follows their lead by revealing some of the unknown to about each other.

Yes, the title name was a dog character. It took some times to figure it out why and how important was this name for the movie. Almost the entire watch, only in the end scene, it all made sense. Besides, that is the part I fell for it, I think it was the best way to conclude. I love this kind of theme, this is where my softer side unfolds and feel the depth of the character or the tale that intended to strike emotionally. But the thing is, it was not a tearjerker drama as I wanted or it should have been.

"People don't know what to say to me. They smell death and they get scared."

Another unique narration that dealt with having friendship in the front row for its simple ride. It might be a plot that evolved around two friends' four days wandering everywhere, but covered family issues as well, especially the father-son relationship for a brief time, but strongly. It took all the time in the beginning, but the second half was very interesting after it makes you comfort with the characters and enough story development to move on from there.

It was a less fun, but a more meaningful movie than I thought. All the comedies were dark, it is unfortunate not to have even a small smile. The main source for it was the argument caused by the differences between the friends over what they decided to do, but in the end held back to normalcy as the character were matured and had a good understanding.

So the comedy is only the tag that attached to the movie, but it was a very absorbing topic on its progress till the final minute. Yet, I'm very upset with a sex scene that definitely out of the synchronisation with the rest of the story. When everything was going so smooth it appeared from nowhere like a twist in the tale, I felt that was totally inappropriate. And also that 100 seconds changed the fate of the movie from a PG-13 to R product, though there was no strong nudity.

It was effortless, but exceptional performances, especially by the leading two including the Argentinian superstar Ricardo Darin. And I don't forget the dog in the title role, but sadly his screenspace was very short. Obviously this movie is not designed to impact on all the viewers, so it is going to fail to satisfy a few, especially for its slow presentation without a cheerable background score. That means I suggest you to choose it carefully, by learning what the movie offers against what you actually want from it. But overall, it is surely worth to give a try.

7/10

A pretty good movie with great actors , entertainment , intense drama , narrative excitement and fun , too . Cesc Gay delivers an enjoyable comedy in which the main and support cast are frankly outstanding . As the main attraction resides in its excellent cast in which stand out the magnificent stellar pair . Attractive and enjoyable story with emotive and touching moments and very well played . Self-contained Tomás (Javier Cámara) is a sensitive man with goodheart who returns Spain from Canada to find his intimate friend Julián . As he suddenly receives an unexpected visit from his friend Tomás, who lives in Canada . Julian has an illness and preoccupied with the question to the point of obsession . Later on , the two men leave their Spanish lives , and set out in search for his son (Oriol Paulo) who lives in Ámsterdam . After that , they return Spain and accompanied by Julián's faithful dog, Truman, undertake the sad existence and dark future , prompted by Julián's difficult health .

A nostalgic and attractive film about friendship , family relationship , love , death and promises . Enjoyable dramedy with stirring moments , agreeable friendship, father-son relationship and a little bit humor. The picture relies heavily on friendship among two old friends , but this one doesn't make boring , but entertaing . The flick also deals with interesting and engaging issues such as family relationship , deadly illness , assumtion death , and many other things . Filmmaker offers a fresh take on a familiar scenario, a beloved friendship and a father-son relationship , it results to be other of the innumerable stories to deal with family and friends . From start to finish this exciting film contains drama , emotion , a marvelous and deep friendship between two friends who will share emotional and surprising moments . Cesc Gay carries out a solid comedy , achieving a big hit at the Spanish box office . Duo protagonist , the anarchic , obstinate Ricardo Darin , and the sensible , honest Javier Cámara , are top-notch , they steal the show , both of whom turn an efficient acting . Nice film , though it has a few gaps , but anyway, its is compensated with the great performances from Ricardo Darin , chewing scenary as the ill person who suffers a complicated situation, refusing any further chemo treatment . Support cast , and cameos , are frankly extraordinary , such as : Dolores Fonzi , Alex Brendemühl , Pedro Casablanc , José Luis Gómez , Javier Gutiérrez , Oriol Pla, Nathalie Poza , Elvira Mínguez , Eduard Fernández , Susi Sánchez , Francesc Orella , Silvia Abascal and many others . And the dog that interpreted Truman died a few months after shooting due to natural causes.

Colorful and evocative cinematography with wonderful exteriors from known cities shot in Barcelona , Madrid and Ámsterdam . Atmospheric, adequate score by Nico Cota and Toti Soler .The motion picture was well directed by Cesc Gay . He was born in 1967 in Barcelona, where he often shoots his fims . He is a writer and director, known for the successful Krámpack (2000), Una pistola en cada mano (2012) , En la ciudad (2003) , V.O.S. , Ficción (2006) and this Truman. It had several prizes such as Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain 2016 Winner CEC Award Best Film , Best Director Cesc Gay , Best Actor Ricardo Darín , Best Supporting Actor Cesc Gay , Best Original Screenplay Cesc Gay ,Tomàs Aragay . Feroz Awards, ES 2016 Winner Feroz Award Best Actor in a Leading Role Ricardo Darín , Best Actress in a Supporting Role Dolores Fonzi ,Best Screenplay Cesc Gay Tomàs Aragay .Goya Awards 2016 Winner Goya Best Lead Actor Ricardo Darín , Best Supporting Actor Javier Cámara ,Best Original Screenplay Cesc Gay , Tomàs Aragay , Best Director Cesc Gay , Best Film : Marta Esteban ,Diego Dubcovsky ,Trumanfilm ,BD Cine ,Impossible Films .

I was in Barcelona, one of my favourite cities, in December and was looking at the Verdi cinema to find a film to watch. I was attracted by Truman because it's a Spanish film, but has English subtitles. I'm struggling to learn Spanish, so this seemed ideal for me.

What a great choice! The Spanish dialogue is reasonably simple and slow so I understood most of it. The story is simple and of interest to all of us; I also love animals.

A really good film - very moving, funny and sad. The words are simple, but the film is excellently well acted and full of underlying emotion. I found myself laughing and crying at different moments.

The movie has a very low rating in Germany, which is weird not only because of a mature scene in the movie, but because of what this movie is about. It's not something children want to see, but more pointed and aimed to "please" an older audience. And it's a very good one with amazing acting and a story that will take you on an emotional ride that will not leave you easily.

Truman is the name of the dog and also an English title for the international audience. And even here Germany goes a different way and calls this "Friends for life" (translated). Which I guess is a description of the movie, though you could confuse this and think it's a comedy when it's called something like that ... it's drama don't get that confused! Still relish the lighter moments and also the great script this has ...