(GOLDEN GLOBE NOMINATIONS) Performance By An Actor In
A Motion Picture: Javier Bardem
Genre: Drama
Director: Alejandro
Amenábar
Starring: Javier Bardem, Belen Rueda, Lola
Duenas, Mabel Rivera, Celso Bugallo
RunTime: 2 hrs 5 mins
Released By: Cathay-Keris Films & Festive
Films
Rating: NC-16 (Mature Themes)
Release
Date: 6 January 2005 (Exclusively at Cathay Cineplex
Orchard)
Synopsis
:
Ramón
has been paralysed in bed for thirty years, cared for by his
family. His bedroom window is his only window to the world,
overlooking the sea he so often sailed; that sea where he
suffered the accident that curtailed his youth. Since then,
his only wish has been to bring his life to a dignified end.
His world is turned upside down by the arrival
of two women: Julia, the lawyer who supports him in his legal
struggle to end his life as he sees fit, and Rosa, a woman
from the village, who tries to convince him that life is worth
living after all. Both women are overwhelmed by Ramón’s
captivating personality, and are forced to question the principles
which have governed their lives thus far.
Ramón knows that only the one who
truly loves him will help him undertake his ultimate journey.
Movie
Review:
The
fame director of “The Others”, Alejando Amenabar,
presents a movie based on the true-life account of Ramon Sampedro,
a quadriplegic who wishes to end his life.
Instead
of focusing on the legal battles that Ramon Sampedro had to
go through in the process of seeking the legal prescription
of euthanasia or moral debates on whether is it right or wrong
to seek euthanasia, this film focus on the thoughts and love
of Ramon Sampedro. Yes, ironically, a guy who seeks death
could give so much love and beauty to this world and especially
to the people around him.
Javier
Bardem plays the role of Ramon Sampedro superbly. Throughout
most parts of the film, he acted with only his facial expression
and yet it was more than enough to capture the audience’s
understanding and sympathies for the hardship, misery and
joy that he had to undergo.
The
fine film ensemble should not go unnoticed too. Notably were
Mabel Rivera, Belén Rueda and Lola Dueñas, who
each played the different women that shared a different part
of Ramon Sampedro’s life. Without these ladies, many
of the heart wrenching moments of the film would not have
been that effective.
The
cinematography and musical scores paint an enchanting dream
that remind you of fine landscape paintings in a masterpiece.
One of the many breathtaking moments in the cinematography
was when Alejando Amenabar takes the audience out on a flight
over the beautiful landscape beyond Ramon Sampedro’s
courtyard and over the vast lands through Ramon’s dream
of flight. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself considering
taking up that trip to visit Galicia.
This
film is touching and in one way or another, it will definitely
affect you and your thoughts about life. Although you might
not agree with Ramon Sampedro’s choice in life, you
will understand his intentions and choices he made eventually.
This
film might be not your crowd-pleaser and it touches on issues
that most of us might not have experienced before. But I feel
this is a meaningful film to catch and would recommend it
to everyone to watch when it is out in the cinema.
This
is only the fourth film from Alejando Amenabar and I believe
he has created his first masterpiece. This film has been sent
to the Academy Awards as an entry for the best foreign film
from Spain and had already gathered Best director and Best
Actor award during the recent European Film Awards. I hope
it will win more awards and gather the recognition that it
truly deserves. Kudos to Festive Films for bringing in yet
another top-notch foreign film to Singapore!
Movie
Rating: A
Review
by Overider
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