Dark Blue Almost Black (2006)

After a prank followed by an argument with his father, who is the janitor of the building where they live and wants his son to follow his profession, the teenager Jorge (Quim Gutiérrez) witnesses his father having a stroke. Seven years later, Jorge is graduated in management with self-study, but he is stuck in life, working as janitor and taking care of his handicapped father. Jorge seeks a better job in the area he graduated, but he never lies about his duties as a janitor and the health of his father in the interviews; consequently he does not succeed in getting a new job. When his childhood girlfriend Natalia (Eva Pallarés) returns to her apartment after finishing college, Jorge has an inferiority complex but they stay together. Meanwhile his older brother Antonio (Antonio De la Torre) is in jail and falls in love for the inmate Paula (Marta Etura), who wants to get pregnant to be entitled to move to the nursery and escape from the violent mates. When Antonio finds that he is infertile, he asks Jorge to help Paula to get pregnant. Meanwhile his best friend Israel (Raúl Arévalo) discloses a secret about his father while snooping the building on the other side of the street.'Azuloscurocasinegro" is a sweet and very pleasant movie with a good and original story, but the conclusion is weak. Most of the characters are somehow prisoners: Jorge in his mediocre life; his father on the wheelchair; Antonio and Paula in jail; Israel with his dysfunctional family in his father's house. Natalia is her past relationship with Jorge. The lead character Jorge actually lives in a limbo, stuck in his guilty and inferiority complex with his father. This is the second great work that I see of the gorgeous actress Marta Etura, unfortunately unknown in Brazil. She is an excellent actress and I love to see her beauty and charm while acting. My vote is eight.Title (Brazil): "Azul Escuro Quase Preto" ("Dark Blue Almost Black")

Seven years ago, Jorge, a young man frustrated with the fact that his father wanted him to follow in his footsteps and become janitor of a large apartment building, sets fire to one of the trash bins. Jorge's father sees him and runs after him whereupon the father suffers a stroke.In those seven years' time, Jorge has assumed care of his invalid father and become what he hates - the janitor for the building. However, Jorge has continued his dream and has recently earned a degree from business school. He interviews for one position after another but cannot find a job.Natalia - a girl Jorge has known all of his life and with whom he is infatuated - returns from abroad to live in her parents' vacant apartment. The two instantly renew their friendship, and shy, insecure Jorge is able to move the relationship to more than just friendship - much to the delight of them both.The scene shifts to a women's prison where Paula is severely abused by her fellow prisoners. Paula joins a prison play group were she meets Antonio who is there solely with the hope of getting some sex with the women in the group. Paula is eager to comply as pregnant prisoners lead a much better life. Try as they will, Paula isn't impregnated. They finally discover that Antonio is sterile.It just so happens that Antonio is Jorge's older brother and is due shortly to be released. Once released Antonio convinces Jorge to pay conjugal visits to Paula in order that she become pregnant.I know that much of what has been described appears to be a farce, but this engrossing and entertaining film definitely is not. Spanish cinema seems to have a way of viewing the dramatic - sometimes tragic - elements of life and still not ignore the little comic ironies that are always present. Azuloscurocasinegro does just that giving the viewer insight into the lives of these extremely interesting characters.All of the acting is of ultimate quality and Quim Gutiérrez as Jorge certainly leads the pack. He offers the viewer a look at a genuine young man desperately trying to find his own way. His performance is truly heartwarming.With all of the sub-par trash that comes out about young men trying to find themselves, this film is surely a breath of fresh air.

Make no mistake about it, this first feature by Daniel Sanchez Arevalo is one to seek out, if you've long admired the films of Pedro Almodovar. It mostly deals with a group of Spanish twenty-somethings, who are hemmed in by life in one way or another. The characters seem to move through life, getting by not always with the best methods, but surely the best intentions. Without revealing much, there is one character that plays wet nurse to his invalid Father (victim of a stroke years earlier,after a Father/Son argument), a ner-do well Brother in jail for a crime that is never made known,his girlfriend he meets in theater studies,who he wants to get pregnant so he can get out of prison earlier,and a host of other oddball characters. The film gets good use of indoor photography,with certain colour schemes being used as a visual metaphor. There are other things I could reveal, but won't spoil the fun. Although the film has been picked up for American distribution, you'll probably have to do a bit of searching out for it.

Jorge (Quim Gutiérrez) is stuck in a dead-end job and with an unrequited long-term love for the girl next door. His father has suffered a stroke and needs constant supervision, which Jorge alone manages. His brother is in prison. His best friend is contemplating his sexuality. In short, he is the epitome of a "nice guy" – the kind who is too nice to lie, cheat or think in even remotely self-serving paths. In Arévalo's directorial debut, we are offered a slice of his protagonist's life – to no discernible end, but still a worthwhile watch.The latter can best be attributed to the film's preference of continuity to climaxes. It offers next to no culminations, 'key' scenes or satisfying plot development and instead presents a highly low-key story that takes a gentle yet unflinching look at a young man's life. Quim Gutiérrez is handsome, affable and intrinsically good as Jorge, giving a sweet little performance that is just a smidge to humourless to wow the audience or even go the extra mile. None of the other actors are particularly noteworthy, although Raúl Arévalo caters to the comedy part which undoubtedly elevates the whole film above generic drama formula. Make no mistake however – it is no comedy.Azuloscurocasinegro is also one of the calmest films I have ever seen. seen. It is neither boring nor slow, but the pacing is peaceful and there is an underlying tranquility in the seamless intercutting of scenes, without resorting to dreamy cinematography or soothing nature shots. I suppose that is another way of saying not much happens in it, which is certainly quite true, but there is some emotional poignancy to be found, some sex scenes to be 'enjoyed' and above all remarkably insightful dialogue to be shared. It delivers little gems by the bucketload, puffed full of actual wisdom – best of all, it never feels forced. In the end, Azuloscurocasinegro is quite forgettable, but a sweet viewing nonetheless.7 out of 10