Jesus and Maria are a couple going through a difficult time in their relationship. Nevertheless, they have just become parents. To shape their new life, they decide to buy a new coffee table... Read allJesus and Maria are a couple going through a difficult time in their relationship. Nevertheless, they have just become parents. To shape their new life, they decide to buy a new coffee table. A decision that will change their existence.Jesus and Maria are a couple going through a difficult time in their relationship. Nevertheless, they have just become parents. To shape their new life, they decide to buy a new coffee table. A decision that will change their existence.
- Director
- Writers
- Stars
- Awards
- 20 wins & 1 nomination total
Josep Maria Riera
- Carlos
- (as Josep Mª Riera)
Emilio Gavira
- Voz del súper
- (voice)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
A put-upon husband gets his way for once, and then screws up in the worst way imaginable.
Not a horror, but a black comedy fuelled by the awful unease of having to own up to the unspeakable. It is engaging, but doesn't really amount to much, and the comedy relies on heavy-handed irony and a score that tries to mix a sense of spaghetti western showdown into the mounting dread. Also very heavy on dialogue, which crowds out the need for action.
The central Event is dealt with off-camera, and only referred to afterward through the stains it leaves behind. A secondary Event is thrown in for gratuitous plot complications, but can't really be sustained by the rather plain characters. I thought the chance for dramatic irony was missed in not getting the wife to decide for herself to stay out of the room: "I promised not to become over-attentive, like my mother" - along those lines.
The performances are good, with the psychic pain of the lead character well delivered. And the direction keeps up variety in a tight location.
Overall: notable oddity.
P.s. There is a Jesus theme, but I don't think it informs the story. Maybe I need to think harder.
Not a horror, but a black comedy fuelled by the awful unease of having to own up to the unspeakable. It is engaging, but doesn't really amount to much, and the comedy relies on heavy-handed irony and a score that tries to mix a sense of spaghetti western showdown into the mounting dread. Also very heavy on dialogue, which crowds out the need for action.
The central Event is dealt with off-camera, and only referred to afterward through the stains it leaves behind. A secondary Event is thrown in for gratuitous plot complications, but can't really be sustained by the rather plain characters. I thought the chance for dramatic irony was missed in not getting the wife to decide for herself to stay out of the room: "I promised not to become over-attentive, like my mother" - along those lines.
The performances are good, with the psychic pain of the lead character well delivered. And the direction keeps up variety in a tight location.
Overall: notable oddity.
P.s. There is a Jesus theme, but I don't think it informs the story. Maybe I need to think harder.
This movie is deceptively intense, all the way through. A man who has a habit of leaving things unresolved, makes one terrible accident that changes the trajectory of his life and because he can't cope, he chooses to stay silent. And as expected his silence makes it worse and the reveal coupled with other unresolved issues culminate to destroy his entire family. I was stressed the entire movie and though it had moments that were very bloody, it's not graphic, it hints at the graphic moments rather than shows it. There's a small but great cast, only a few locations but mostly takes place in an apartment. This was much better than I expected. Well done.
Short review: I've always loved the concept of one small decision changing everything in a massive way. We were actually warned by the director before watching this film not to watch it. I thought to myself, I've seen the worst of the worst, how bad could it be? This isn't a film like 'A Serbian Film' or 'Hostel' that sets out with no purpose other than to shock you as much as possible. But this film will drain you and have you thinking long after the credits roll.
There are a couple of moments of humour in the film, and they are genuinely funny moments, but because of the subject and tone of the film you feel like a monster if you laugh. I can't remember experiencing that before.
This is an emotionally draining film and not one that is designed for everyone to watch. However if you are game I think you will find it both rewarding and memorable. 8/10.
There are a couple of moments of humour in the film, and they are genuinely funny moments, but because of the subject and tone of the film you feel like a monster if you laugh. I can't remember experiencing that before.
This is an emotionally draining film and not one that is designed for everyone to watch. However if you are game I think you will find it both rewarding and memorable. 8/10.
When I saw michael Hanneke's funny games i thought that was the movie i would never wanted to see again, but this picture came and...
It's not bad, I hated the movie I really did but the picture itself wants you to hate it, so I guess it made it. Everything is a roller coaster, but theres no ups, just rolling down from the top and you don't see where the end is near. I wanted so desesperately to this movie to end, every five minutes is just me checking how much time is left. THE scene, is so unoredictiable and that was when this movie hit me and dragged me. So ig you're sicko and you love you to see when a baby is crying, when somebody falls from a chair, when someone forgets a speech, You'd like this movie. I hated it and I loved it.
Very unpleasant to watch. Not cause its frightening or shocking or gore/splatter. None of these things. But the accident that happened made the rest of the movie unbearable to watch. Im not sure about the comical parts, doesn't fit well with the rest and it would have worked better without it with more realism and seriousness. But the director probably wanted to light up the movie a little cause the premise is grimm enough. With that saying, for me it felt over the top and silly in some parts, which i didn't like. Compared to hanekes funny games it lacks the suspense and u just want it to be over. So you dont care much what happens after till the reveal happens. I couldn't even focus on their conversations anymore cause i was in such unease the whole time. I can't say if thats good or bad. It really puts you in the situation of the father 1:1, so therefore goal achieved! But its a waste of that very long middle part that you just wanna skip and dont wanna invest watching cause it drags you out that much.
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Carlos says "We've got 10 minutes before we go back and María finds out", there are 10 minutes remaining in the film.
- GoofsJesús's telephone is missing one number; thou Jesús may be purposely giving the salesman a false number.
- Crazy creditsThe opening credits appear in the table's instruction manual.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Half in the Bag: Top 10 Horror Movies (2024) Part 1 (2024)
- How long is The Coffee Table?Powered by Alexa
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- La mesita del comedor
- Filming locations
- Terrassa, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain(location)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $29,605
- Runtime
- 1h 29m(89 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content