The Great Pretender

On Saturday we had a chicks' night out with one of my high school friends and watched Biutiful, a Spanish-Mexican art movie by Inarritu. This is the same friend who took me to the Romanian movie If I Want To Whistle, I Whistle, about which I've written here. I just hope she watches funny stuff, too.

The story is quite controversial, and you cannot really decide how to relate to the main character, even in terms of like or dislike. The film is set in a Spanish city (I didn't pay attention to the name). The main character, Uxbal is some kind of a criminal, dealing with bribery, illegal sale, man-trafficking, and what not. On the other hand, he has the ability to talk to the dead who cannot pass, and he often helps at funerals. He has two children and a manic depressed, eccentric wife, pretty much like what you get in The Illustrated Mum. What you get here is the portrayal of slums and illegal immigrants, such as Chinese and Senegalese, and of course poverty and personal tragedies.
Javier Bardem plays Uxbal, and I was sure I had seen him in something, but it turned out that he just looks ninety percent like the guy who played one of the guys in P.S. I love you, by the name Jeffrey Dean Morgan (who also played Izzie's lover in the TV series Grey's Anatomy). I mean, Bardem did play in hits like No Country for Old Men and art movies like Mar adentro, but I haven't seen any of those. But from now on I'm sure I'll pay attention to him. Throughout the film he was quite credible and passionate. He showed lots of emotions from anger to pain, and it was brilliant without being depressive. I mean, it was depressing in a way, and when we walked out of the theater I had lots and lots of thoughts, but didn't feel crushed or ruined (I use these for lack of better words). Well, and I have to admit he has this big and strong aura, with his brown eyes... You know, a guy who looks fine in a grey sweater and no make up. Reminds me of a bull.
I wanted to keep this post from spoiling the story but at the same time encouraging so that you watch it, but I'm not sure I'm satisfied with it. Anyway, the ticket cost 220 HUF, and I guess it has to do with Művész Mozi celebrating its 22nd birthday, oh, but I guess it finished on October 31. Anyway, if you want something cruel and real, free from americanization, go and get it.