Nubes de verano (2004) Reviews

• Summer clouds

  jotix1002004-12-24

  Felipe Vega, the director of this film, loves to do the kind of movies favored by French directors: dialog is everything. It appears he was influenced by Eric Rohmer because this movie feels like a conversation piece, instead of a film. The story is about a couple, Ana and Daniel, upwardly mobile people that always go to the same area in Spain's Catalonia region. The director uses Castilian and Catalan, which can be distracting for those trying to practice their school Spanish. Robert, a local lothario, makes a bet with his cousin Beatriz that he will seduce Ana by the end of their stay, and Beatriz, who started the whole thing suggesting that she likes Daniel, Ana's husband, goes along with him because she fancies the man. Whereas Beatriz thinks the whole thing a joke, for lecherous Robert, it is a challenge to prove his point. We watch him as he insinuates himself on the unsuspecting Ana. At first, she rejects him, then, she is curious about the whole thing, but the director leaves things for the viewer to decide what really happened between the two of them. The final scene tells it all. Daniel goes to buy things for the trip home and Beatriz hands him a small package Robert has given her to give to Ana. He opens it and the secret is revealed, or is it? The director doesn't tell, so your conclusion will be probably different from mine. The four actors in the film are good. David Selvas has been seen in other films. He plays the evil Robert with great panache. Natalia Millan is Ana. At first she is a woman who appears to be sure of herself, or of what she wants, but little by little she becomes something else. Roberto Enriquez is Daniel. Finally, Irene Montala plays Beatriz, the girl who quits the game when she realizes the harm she is causing to innocent people. While the film is too chatty, it has good moments for all the principals. Felipe Vega directs with an eye for detail as he gives us his own take about what goes on during summer vacations. with people on vacation.

• Not a bad film

  JCBar2007-03-13

  This is a film that grows on you. Initially you are put off by the four principle players - Ana and Daniel, a happily married couple on vacation, and Robert and Beatriz - cousins living in the resort town. And while you never really warm to the sleazy Robert, the other three actors are very affecting, and effective. Like most Spanish films I view, it is dialog driven. And like most, you start to like the melodic sounds of Spanish more and more. The plot hinges on whether or not Robert and his cousin will be able to bed the couple (separately of course), and they promise to help one another in this quest. After awhile, Beatriz abandons the plan out of decency, but Robert continues on. What happens eventually is open to some kind of interpretation, but I think the majority will opt for what appears the most convenient one. As mentioned in the other review (and I find it hard to believe that there is only one other review of this fine film), the final scene does tell it all. But it doesn't quite spell it out for you. The area the film is made in is beautiful, the females involved are seductive, and the music is quite endearing. The one thing I found to criticize was the scene where Robert is accosted by one of his cousin's admirers – it was unbelievable, with somewhat puzzling an aftermath. Robert looks like he could have handled himself much better with the slightly built actor playing the friend, and the 'beating' wasn't as bad as a grandmother might have done to a purse snatcher… but like I said, not much to criticize in this small likable film.

• Good

  manitobaman812014-09-06

  This was so-so, one of those films that could have been a lot better had the editing been tighter. I just saw this one. Though it was corny and I see why many disliked it, I couldn't stop laughing. Quality work that draws you in and doesn't let you go. The content isn't for everyone. I guess if I was in a bad mood, this movie wouldn't be half as good, but I thought it to be enjoyable and would recommend it to enjoy. This is another level of film. Granted, everything in it is historically incorrect but that's the fun part. If you enjoyed the old Austrian movies about adultery, you'll probably like this one. You've got to be a die-hard fan to embrace this one.