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Mondays In The Sun - 6/03 - R - 113m
Javier
Bardem - Carlos 'Santa' Santamaría
Luis Tosar - José Suárez
José Ángel Egido - Paulino 'Lino' Ribas Casado
Director: Fernando León de Aranda
Written by: Fernando León de Aranda and Ignacio del Moral
Official
Website
JEF
Overall I enjoyed this film. I tend not to like movies that deal
with depressing situations. I mainly go to the movies to escape those
depressing topics. But, every now and then, to see a movie that points
out that films are not all just special effects, and car chases, is…
cleansing.
Storyline: The movie was based loosely on a real event
that happened in Gijón (Asturias) Spain approx 10 years ago. A
local shipyard had shut down, and laid-off all its workers. The movie
opens with real news footage of the riots that ensued due to this. Then,
the movie picks up with a handful of the men that have been laid off.
All in their mid to late 40’s, these men, are all struggling to
find a job – some perhaps harder than others. These stories are
somewhat depressing. You really start to feel sorry for these guys who
have had some real bad luck, and the world just doesn’t want to
help them.
This is a real character driven movie. These actors manage to make you
care for them, and not only care, but pull you through a range of feelings
for them. From indifference, to pity, to a genuine caring that they find
some luck in life. As with any movie with subtitles, that makes the viewer
have to do a little more work than usual and can take away from the visuals
of the movie, but soon, you don’t realize that you’re reading
the subtitles and get into the film. The movie did start out somewhat
slow. But about half way in, I knew I was hooked to see what happened
to these various characters.
The direction seemed well done, as did the cinematography. Any shot that
shows you the beauty of an old rusted out boat is an accomplishment. But
the characters are what drove the movie. From the strong willed “Santa”
(Javier Bardem), to the insecure “Lino” (José Suárez),
to the innocent daughter of the bartender “Nata” (Aida Folch).
These men are friends. Friends that have been through a lot in life, and
look out for one another the best they can. At this point, they seem more
interested in drowning their sorrows at the local pub, but every day,
they make a ritualistic trek to the social services, to see about landing
themselves a job. One gentleman deals with the fact that he’s 40-ish,
and competing for a job with younger “hip” men in their 20’s.
So he attempts to have his son teach him some computer skills and, even
swipes a shirt so he can blend in better with the youth.
This movie probably won’t get much screen time in the US. It has
one strike against it already that it’s subtitled. But, I would
recommend this movie if comes to a theatre near your. If your willing
to make a commitment to these characters, you will enjoy this rather harsh
look at life in a town where luck seems to have sailed on the last ship
out.
Jef
