Dark Blue Almost Black (2006)

When his father suffers a debilitating stroke, Jorge is forced to put his life and career on hold. He takes over his father's janitorial position, cares for his father and studies at night. His life is further complicated by romantic entanglements with women. Meanwhile, Jorge's best friend Israel begins to question his sexuality and his family's integrity when he discovers that his father frequents a male masseur. Director Daniel Sánchez Arévalo's tender and witty debut examines the feeling of entrapment that arises when needs and desires are subjugated to family obligations. It is also an astute exploration of generational politics in Spain, where the young are generally expected to carry on traditions and values. Product Description

One of a kind movie!

I bought this movie for a spanish film project and it was an amazing choice - controversial topics from a country where the scent of dictatorship still lingers April 5, 2008

Tranquility

"Dark Blue, Almost Black"

Tranquility

Amos Lassen

In "Dark Blue, Almost Black" (Strand Releasing), Jorge is a twenty-five year old janitor who is desperate to find a new and better job. Because he takes care of his father who is handicapped, his search for a new position is complicated. His brother, Antonio, is about to be released from incarceration. While in prisonm Antonio found a girlfriend who wants to have a child but we learn that Antonio unable to father one so he asks Jorge to get his girlfriend pregnant. Complicating this is the unexpected return of Natalia, Jorge's girlfriend who left years ago. At the same time, Jorge's best friend, Israel has been secretly photographing men who visit an erotic masseur and he learns something that throws him for a loop.
What a beautiful character study this film is. Our characters are trapped by circumstance and their own feelings of responsibility, thereby being unable to go after their dreams and goals. Jorge, trapped between two women, one his former girlfriend, the other his no-good brother's prison girlfriend. He is the "nice guy", too nice, in fact. Quim Guitterez gives a fine performance as Jorge and we take a good, hard look at his life. However, the movie moves along slowly and not much seems to happen. There is some really good emotional poignancy and some of the same sex scenes are exciting and the dialog between characters is very good. There are wise things to be learned by listening to the actors speak (or in his case, reading the subtitles).
When Jorge dreams of escaping his existence, he dreams of a suit which is dark blue, almost black. It represents freedom to him. His life is poor, he does not experience self-development. He feels incapable of a relationship with someone and even though the emotions are subtly portrayed, they are quite real. Daniel Sanchez Arevalo directed this film ala the style of Pedro Almodovar. Like the characters of Almodovar, out characters move through life by methods that are not so good even though the intentions are quite good.
The film is stark and grave with not much humor and is very serious. It may not brighten your mood, but "Dark Blue, Almost Black" will give you plenty to think about.
December 26, 2007

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