User reviews

"La casa sin fronteras" (1972), directed by Pedro Olea, is a film that delves deep into the complexities of personal crisis and self-discovery. With a strong cast and an intriguing premise, the film explores themes of alienation and existential search. However, despite its strengths, the film falls short of its potential, resulting in a somewhat uneven cinematic experience.

Pedro Olea's direction is notable for its atmospheric and contemplative style. The film's cinematography effectively captures the somber and introspective tone, with thoughtful use of light and shadow to reflect Maria's emotional state. The pacing, however, can be uneven. Some scenes linger too long, while others rush through important moments, disrupting the narrative flow.

The film's thematic exploration of personal boundaries and the search for meaning is ambitious, but it occasionally gets bogged down by its own introspection. At times, the narrative becomes overly abstract, making it challenging for the audience to fully engage with Maria's journey. The film's existential musings, while profound, can feel heavy-handed and detract from the overall storytelling.

One of the film's strengths is its score, which enhances the emotional and atmospheric depth of the narrative. The music complements the film's contemplative nature, adding layers to the viewing experience.

In conclusion, "La casa sin fronteras" is a film with a poignant premise and strong performances, particularly from Geraldine Chaplin. However, its potential is hindered by uneven pacing and a sometimes overly abstract narrative. With a rating of 6/10, the film is a worthwhile watch for those interested in introspective dramas and existential themes, even if it doesn't fully achieve its ambitions.

The House Without Frontiers (La casa in fronteras) is about a secret society that wants to a better society, so they recruit young people whom they believe have moral character to fix what is wrong in the world. However, those who don't live up to their ideals are punished.

A young man, Daniel, arrives in the city and gets recruited by the organization to find a young woman named Lucia

The movie takes it time in setting up why the organization wants to find Luis. It is the last thirty minutes of the film, Daniel finds her.

The secret society is a thinly veiled version of Opus Dei.

At the time of the film release, Franco ruled Spain. This film comes across as a criticism of the Catholic Church's support of the the Franco government.

The movie has a dream like quality to it. The pacing is slow and a little uneven. The acting is excellent.

La casa sin fronteras (A House Without Boundaries) is a 1972 Spanish surrealist drama directed by Pedro Olea.

The film's greatest strength lies in its striking visuals and dreamlike atmosphere. Olea's direction is confident and stylish, creating a disorienting and hypnotic experience that draws the viewer into Lucía's fractured psyche. Geraldine Chaplin delivers a captivating performance as the unraveling protagonist, her vulnerability and confusion palpable on screen.

The supporting cast is also excellent, particularly Viveca Lindfors as the sinister Señorita Elvira, who runs the mysterious organization with an iron fist. José Orjas as the enigmatic Old Man also leaves a lasting impression.

While the film's surreal imagery and symbolism are undoubtedly compelling, the narrative can feel disjointed and opaque at times, leaving the viewer grasping for meaning. The pacing is also uneven, with some sequences dragging on longer than necessary.

Additionally, the film's exploration of identity and the human psyche, while intriguing, can feel a bit heavy-handed and lacking in subtlety at times.

La casa sin fronteras is a visually stunning and thought-provoking work of surrealist cinema that delves into the depths of the human psyche. While not a perfect film, its dreamlike atmosphere and Chaplin's mesmerizing performance make it a must-see for fans of avant-garde and experimental cinema.