User reviews

This rare picture with supernatural elements deals about an old man (Hector Alterio as Death or La Muerte) who hires a detective (Javier Bardem) to find the duchess (Charo Lopez) . The detective is accompanied by a brutal killer (Carmelo Gomez) who relentlessly kills people and even a baby . Along the way the Detective meets Maria (Maria de Medeiros) , a damsel in distress , both of them track down Duquesa .

Cold and strange film with a confuse plot , twisted intrigue , thrills , fantastic events and colorful images . The film relies heavily on the relationship among Javier Bardem , Carmelo Gomez and Maria De Medeiros ; it results to be a little bit boring , including with no sense dialogs , absurd situations and embarrassing screenplay . Offbeat writing credits by Azucena Rodriguez and same filmmaker Gonzalo Suarez with plenty of ridiculous and absurd deeds , adding supernatural frames ; being based on a story by Hans Christian Andersen . Magnificent main cast and great supporting roles such as Maria de Medeiros as María , an unfortunate mummy , Carmelo Gómez as a tough murderous , Héctor Alterio as G.M. a cruel wealthy old man , Charo López as Duquesa , Mapi Galán as Laura , Francis Lorenzo as D. Luis and Paulina Gálvez as Ofelia . Brilliant cinematography by Carlos Suarez , director's brother ; being filmed on location in Warsaw, Mazowieckie, Poland and beach scenes at the beginning shot in Llanes, Asturias, Spain , where director Suarez often shoots his movies . Thrilling and intriguing musical score by Suso Saiz , adding opera songs at the ending .

Direction by Gonzalo Suarez is mediocre ; however , he shows his skill for edition , realizing long shots with crowd who moves easily and including some action scenes . Gonzalo Suarez was born in Asturias , he is a good craftsman who has directed several films from the 60s . He excelled at bringing to life tautly written tales about strange characters facing difficult circumstances and dealing with thought-provoking , brooding stories . Throughout his career he regularly alternated hits with misses . He has stylistic trademarks , but also been criticized for his slow-moving films , though his best flicks remain exciting to watch . Among his most important pictures , mostly dramas , are the following : Oviedo Express , 1994 The detective and death , 1992 La Reina Anónima , 1991 Don Juan en Infiernos ,1988 Rowing with the wind , 1984 Epílogo ,1977 Parranda , 1977 Reina Zanahoria , 1976 Beatriz , 1975 La Regenta , 1974 La Loba y la Paloma .

It's a strange Spanish thriller filmed in Poland; the performances of its protagonists are very good, so the film has a great cast of actors (the Oscar-nominated Javier Bardem, Carmelo Gómez, María de Medeiros...). But people uses to find this film very strange by the violence scenes and the supernatural presence of the roles of Javier Bardem and Carmelo Gómez. It's a recommendable film if you like odd films.