Truman

"Truman" (2015 release from Spain; 109 min.) brings the story of Tomas and Julian. As the movie opens, we see Tomas, a Spanish emigrant now in Canada, flying over to Madrid. He is there for an unannounced visit to his life-long friend Julian, an Argentinean theater actor living in Spain. It's not long before we learn that Julian has lung cancer and is refusing any further chemo treatment. Is Tomas there to try and change Julian's mind? And what becomes of Truman, Julian's old dog who has seen better days as well? To tell you more of the plot would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.

Couple of comments: this is the latest movie from Spanish writer-director Cesc Gay. Here he brings an intense and emotional (but never sentimental) look at what a man does with his day-to-day life when his remaining time is limited, and how it affects his relationship with a guy who once was (still is?) his best friend but now lives in faraway Canada. It is important to emphasize that this easily could've been an emotional exploitation movie, yet Cesc Gay manages to infuse the perfect dose of reality. Check out the scene where Julian, accompanied by Tomas, goes to the funeral home to make funeral arrangements. "And who is the deceased?, asks the funeral director. "Me", Julian wryly responds. "Oh..." Just because the movie purposefully shies away from obvious emotional exploitation, we find ourselves sucked in even deeper. I was simply blown away by it all. Cesc Gay movie regulars Ricardo Darin (as Julian) and Javier Camera (as Tomas) each provide towering acting performances. But ultimately I feel that the credit must go primarily to Cesc Gay for this wonderful movie, easily one of the best I have seen in a long time (and that's saying something as I see a LOT of movies).

"Truman" opened to immediate acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival 2 years ago, and went on to garner multiple awards. Imagine my surprise when the movie opened without any pre-release advertising or fanfare at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati this weekend, I went to see it right away. The Friday early evening screening where I saw this at was attended okay but not great, not surprising to me (given the lack of any marketing for this film). Regardless, if you are interested in a slice of life that will resonate closer to you that you may think, or simply want to enjoy a top-notch foreign indie movie the likes of which are all too rare, you don't want to miss this. "Truman" is HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

This movie is perfect in every way as far as my movie watching is concerned anyways. It may be a little slow but it is so embracing. Key word embracing. I give it a solid 9 seriously.

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 ...

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 .

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