Saturday, January 15, 2005

THE SEA INSIDE




Original title: Mar adentro
Based on a true story
In Spanish with English subtitles

PRINCIPAL CAST MEMBERS
Belen Rueda: Julia, a lawyer with a serious crippling illness
Javier Bardem: the Spanish poet Ramon Sampedro
Mabel Rivera: his dedicated sister-in-law Manuela
Celso Bugallo: his older brother Jose
Joan Dalmau: his elderly father Joaquin
Tamar Novas: his teenage nephew Javi
Lola Duenas: Rosa, a poor, lonely single mother

REVIEW
Despite the serious nature of Ramon’s undertaking, it is not heavy-handed nor all that grim. His self-depreciating humour keeps things light. The acting throughout is excellent.

CLASSIFICATION
for intense depiction of mature thematic material.

FOR NITPICKERS ONLY
When Ramon first appears in court he is wearing a cap. Although no one approaches him, the cap is no where to be seen when he is about to leave.

P.S.
The film gets its name from Ramon’s obsession with the sea.

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