Planta 4ª

This movie is horribly underrated. It's such a gorgeous piece of cinematography. It makes you cry without being over-dramatic, it makes you think without being preachy, it makes you laugh at the hilarious lines delivered so neatly by the young cast. It's not a movie about cancer or dying, it's about living. I've rarely seen a film so original, about 70% of this movie is memorable and you can still quote the lines months after. If you think "oh another movie with sick kids that you are supposed to pity" you are terribly wrong. Their grief and anger is awesomely crafted in the few moments where it appears. The jokes are very funny if you can understand some Spanish, but if you don't you may want to check this out as well cos it's one of the best I've seen. And I've seen some.

I turned on TV the other night to find this playing(good old SBS, best TV channel in the world which also happens to be free-to-air). Seeing 3 or 4 bald young boys made me curious so I stood there watching a bit longer. It was a nice story but I watched to the end for two other reasons: The really nice shots of the action in the hospital corridors and those beautiful boy actors. Their enthusiasm really seems to lift the movie up a notch. Great casting and a great effort from those kids.

Lacasito 01 mentioned that the English subtitles weren't up to scratch. I can only recommend that you find a copy of the version that I watched here in Australia. The slang and the swearing are translated into Aussie by the subtitlers on my favourite network. I sometimes get a bit of a shock when I sit down to watch a foreign movie and the characters are spouting lines that I could have heard down at the local pub. I think for non Australians though, that this might add just the flavour of foreigness that you need in the dialogue of a foreign-language film.

Planta 4a

A Review by Ollie.

Planta 4a is a truly remarkable film. A coming of age drama, dealing with first love, basketball, the usual childhood mischief, and above all, friendship. Basically a comedy, this will definitely bring laughter, and maybe a few tears along the way… I can't recall seeing a coming of age drama with such a refreshing honesty suffused with sadness and humour since 'Stand By Me'. Oh, and by the way… it just happens to be set in the cancer ward of a hospital.

One could be forgiven at this point for thinking that this sets the scene as thoroughly depressing. It is anything but! The young lads suffer from cancer, and while that is never forgotten, nor overlooked, it never dominates the film, choosing to remain almost in the background. Director Antonio Mercero has managed to take a difficult subject, and bring true unflinching humour into the story, whilst never making light of the gravity of the illness the boys suffer from.

Made all the more remarkable by the fact that it is based on a true story, that of Albert Espinosa, a long time sufferer, and survivor of cancer, it is little surprise to note that the film has already won numerous awards, and much critical acclaim. Lead actor Juan José Ballesta, himself a Goya award winner for his astonishing performance in 'El Bola' turns in a stunning performance, although the same is true of the rest of the young, and mostly hitherto unheard of, cast.

Originally a theatrical piece, 'Los Pelones', or 'The Baldies', this adapts very well to the big and indeed small screen. 'The Baldies' is the name affectionately given to the young patients, by the hospital staff, for obvious reasons, and drawing from his own experiences, Espinosa conveys beautifully, the emotions and trials of growing up with cancer, and indeed just plain growing up. The film treats the individuals as exactly that; a group of young lads, finding their way in the world, their places in the social pecking order, and dealing with all the normal things teenage boys deal with. Never once are they treated as 'victims', and rightly so. They are ordinary teenagers, from different backgrounds, dealing with different emotions and problems, whilst all sharing one common factor, which never once overtakes the coming of age theme the film so eloquently portrays.

It is directed with such simplicity and refreshing honesty, that Mercero has created a true masterpiece. Given the choice of subject matter, and the fact that this is, in essence, a comedy, a film like this is a very delicate balancing act. It would be all too easy for the balance of the film to sway at any point, and yet it never does. It walks a fine line between drama and comedy, never once faltering, and it is to be respected for that.

Planta 4a contains several scenes which maybe unsuitable for younger viewers, however they are all in keeping with the overall tone of the film. There is nothing gratuitous or unnecessary; the strong language is appropriate given the age of the boys – teenage boys swear; it's just another part of the rich tapestry of their lives.

This film is an absolute joy to watch – it will make you cry with laughter, and in places, will probably just make you cry. There is sadness, naturally. It would be unrealistic if there was none, and yet again, it never overwhelms the film.

If you get the opportunity to see this, either at the cinema, or on DVD (which takes some finding, but it does exist), please, please do yourself a favour, and see it. Savour it – films like this are rare, but like any precious gem, finding them gives remarkable rewards. There are few films with cancer infused into the storyline, and even fewer that leave you with a warm and fuzzy feel-good factor. This film is one of those rare exceptions, which dares to take on a tough subject, and use it almost as a secondary theme.

I dislike 'scoring' peoples work, but in this rare instance I am happy to make an exception – this garners a very well earned 10 out of 10!

Reviewed by Ollie 6th December 2004.

Even with the incredible modern findings in medicine, cancer still belies our power to do anything but hope for the best. And it's something no one ever takes lightly. Except if you're a teenager in dire straits.

The story has already been told elsewhere in these comments, so I'll turn this one into a different approach: the realism of our films (I'm Spanish, live in Mexico and been for quite a time in Italy and the United States).

When you watch a piece of work like Planta 4a, you're reminded that film is a medium where you print a story. And if that story is good, has human characters that make you feel related to them, is believable (even when the necessary suspension of disbelief just started as the lights go down) and, more than anything, puts you IN the story, film has reached its goal.

The film industry in Spain, in Italy, in France, or elsewhere in Europe (including the former "Eastern Bloc" countries) is much more independent, more personal, more lively and direct than your typical season's blockbuster.

With Planta 4a, Espinosa and Mercero have made a passionate masterpiece of compassion and sympathy out of a pretty serious subject: cancer.

I expect people who read our comments (all of the comments expressed here), especially all who are more in sync with Hollywood films, to dare and explore what our Old World has to offer. I firmly believe that European cinema is, again, at its best since the late '90's. This film is no exception. You'll simply find a piece of life brought into your own living room. Enjoy!

Excellent! And it is better if you see it in Spanish...it is more real, and the jokes, etc, are more realistic and understanding. One of my favorite movies on the whole movies I have seen AWeSoMe.I like all the movies Juan Jose Ballesta was in, he is a good actor. Estopa, the band that goes in the end and starts to sing, is a really well-known band in Spain. They rock!And the dream of this poor guys was to met them..so hehe...it was so nice to see, and so good. I love Spanish movies...:P And that has nothing to do that I am Spanish. It's just that I think it is better than ANY American movie.It's a drama, yet first love, problems of teenage years. So greatly great.