Luz de domingo (2007)

Luz de domingo: Directed by José Luis Garci. With Alfredo Landa, Paula Echevarría, Álex González, Kiti Mánver. In a small village in Asturias a bitter war between two political parties degenerates in a tragedy for the couple Urbano and Estrella.

“Sensational rendition with extraordinary performances and luxurious scenarios from Asturias . Including an extreme clash of wills and feelings among the obstinate protagonists . Set in a small village in Asturias called u0026quot;Cenciellesu0026quot; , at the beginning of the twentieth century . There arrives u0026quot;Urbanou0026quot; (Alex Gonzalez), who is a good as well as idealistic person to work as a secretary of the Town Hall . After that , he falls in love for Estrellau0026quot; (Paula Echevarria) , Joacou0026#39;s (Alfredo Landa) granddaughter , and and he decides to marry her . But the neutrality of u0026quot;Urbanou0026quot; before one of the political groups called ¨Los Becerriles¨ led by the nasty Mayor (Vicente Parra) in the Town Hall, originites vengeance and enmity . Shortly after , there takes place a bitter war between two political partyu0026#39;s degenerates a tragedy for the couple Urbano and Estrella .u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003enThis is an intelligent and thought-provoking drama filmed with great sensitivity and feeling. Itu0026#39;s an intelligent and touching story although sometimes is slow moving and tiring but is finely developed with sense of style and sensibility . In the picture are treated ethic and moral themes developed with great sense of fairness and ductility . A rural tragedy in a splendid scenario , dealing with an intense portrait of the rural environment of the era dominated by ¨caciques¨ or ¨Becerriles¨and powerful people against unfortunate villagers called ¨Los Chorizos¨ . Later on , the enjoyable melodrama tranforms into a strong tragedy with sudden bursts of violence , terminating into a terrible vendetta against the couple prior to his wedding . The Asturian scenario, perfectly handled by José Luis Garci in several movies is marvelous and really attractive . I love the peculiar roles of the starring couple : Alex Gonzalez and Paula Echevarria , giving charming interpretations . And other characters as the contenders played by Alfredo Landa , and Carlos Larrañaga are top-notch . Their roles seem written for themselves . As excellent acting by Alfredo Landa as the upright grandfather who will have to face the traumatic truth and choose between honor or pardon . And Vicente Parra as an embittered Mayor who uses the strongest law . Remaining support cast is frankly magnificent , such as : Kiti Mánver , Manuel Galiana , Toni Acosta , Enrique Villén , Francisco Algora ,Mapi Sagaseta and Fernando Guillén Cuervo as the doctor . Besides , exceptional and awesome cinematography by Felix Monti , as is well reflected on the marvelous outdoors of the countryside and brilliant interiors , shot on location in Asturias . Wonderful musical score by Pablo Cervantes plenty of attractive and sensitive sounds and t with haunting leitmotif . Spectacular production design by Gil Parrondo who formerly achieved two Oscars (Patton, Nicholas and Alexandra). u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe motion picture was stunningly directed by Jose Luis Garci ,. It is a film by Jose Luis Garci that has achieved a big success. Garci has left a distinguished talent in his successful movies throughout the years as El Crack I, II, Volver a empezar , Solos en la madrugada , Herida Luminosa , Las verdes praderas . He won one Academy Award for ¨Volver a Empezar¨ , it was the first Spanish entry to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language film, . After his Oscar win in 1983 for Best Foreign Language Film with Volver a empezar (1982), he received three further nominations in that category with Sesión continua (1984), Asignatura aprobada (1987) and El abuelo (1998), making him the most-nominated Spanish director in that category . Rating : Better than average and well worth seeing.”