Worth: $16.00
FilmInk rates movies out of $20 — the score indicates the amount we believe a ticket to the movie to be worth
Cast:
Belen Cuesta, Javier Camara, Alberto San Juan, Griselda Siciliano
Intro:
…an entertaining and engaging comedy that nit-picks at unwritten social etiquettes.
Director Cesc Gay (Truman) adapts his own play, a dry comedy whose dialogue-heavy approach sublimely reveals shifting relationship dynamics.
The film takes place entirely in a modern, slick apartment occupied by long-time couple Ana and Julio. After 15 years, their relationship has grown stale, which manifests itself with bitterness buried beneath a veneer of civility. It opens on a seemingly innocuous argument that splinters into different directions, unravelling underlying resentments toward each other.
The impetus of the film begins with Ana, who has invited the new neighbours over without telling Julio. The neighbours’ reputation has already filtered through the apartment walls via the audible noises they make during sex. While Julio is resentful about this, Ana expresses envy, thus unveiling a chasm in their relationship that the new neighbours will expose.
Before their dithering disagreement resolves, the neighbours are knocking on the door. The film introduces Laura and Salva, who are framed as fundamentally antithetical to the characters already seen. Their relationship appears far newer and fresher, and there is clearly an affection for one other.
As both parties indulge in social auspices early on, the conversation moves into taboo territory, with Laura and Salva openly discussing their frequent group sex. The writing retains a sharp wit, as Ana and Julio are visibly uncomfortable, clambering to change the subject by interrupting each other, over-filling wine glasses, and repetitively offering appetisers. At this juncture, director Cesc Gay utilises the limited space very effectively, as the evening transitions from close quarters in the living room, to the characters separating in different rooms while continuing the same discussion, to symbolise a fracture in their connection.
The acting is particularly impressive, with an ensemble that feels naturalistic and genuine. In particular, Julio, played by Javier Camara, demonstrates the most complex layers as he conceals emotions behind biting sarcasm. His conciliatory smile hides a latent anger that threatens to spill over into violence; “if you hit me again, I’ll deck you one” he says to Salva after a tap on the back.
The film adroitly deals with heavier subjects through its comedy, such as relationships and sex. After an eventful night, Laura, a psychologist, encourages Ana and Julio to face their issues. This results in surprisingly poignant scenes that leave the door ajar to restore love in Ana and Julio’s relationship.
In its awkwardness, the film flows very naturally as an entertaining and engaging comedy that nit-picks at unwritten social etiquettes.
Hello. The people upstairs does not have a rating out of 20. Why?
will fix, sorry about that