★ 7 / 10
Now there are a few rather daft plot
CinemaSerf
Now there are a few rather daft plot holes here, but in the main this is a really strong prison drama anchored well by Luis Tosar and Alberto Ammann. The…
Now there are a few rather daft plot holes here, but in the main this is a really strong prison drama anchored well by Luis Tosar and Alberto Ammann. The latter man ("Juan") is on an orientation visit to a high security prison were he is shortly to begin work when a full scale riot breaks out. That is being led by "Malamadre" (Tosar) and it's only by luck - he had had an earlier accident and was recovering in cell 211 - that he isn't taken hostage like two of his soon-to-be colleagues. He's quite a quick thinker and thanks to him being slightly bloodstained, manages to convince their new boss that he's just another new inmate. Make no mistake, though - he is treading a very fine line as not everyone believes him, and as the negotiations begin in earnest he knows it is going to prove increasingly more difficult to help diffuse this scenario and stay in one piece. Meantime, the authorities are making quite an hash of things on the outside - and that rather shambolic operation leads to a tragedy that causes "Juan" to completely rethink his loyalties! What's actually more effective here is the dialogue and quite intense style of photography. Violent and angry it is, yes - but these prisoners are victims too. Their protests against a brutal regime of solitary confinement have long since fallen on deaf ears, so this action is quite literally their last resort - just ask the previous occupant of cell 211! Tosar is impressive as the slightly more sophisticated thug and as the two men work together, a bond - of sorts - begins that might ultimately be the only thing that keeps any of them breathing.
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★ 7 / 10
Violent and riveting prison movie with outstanding performances and fine direction
ma-cortes
Tense and intriguing Spanish thriller mostly located into a prison with exception some flashbacks about private life of protagonist (Alberto Ammann) along with…
Tense and intriguing Spanish thriller mostly located into a prison with exception some flashbacks about private life of protagonist (Alberto Ammann) along with his wife (Marta Etura) . Good film that shows realism and truth without falling into the clichés of the genre . This powerful and very well directed prison movie contains thought-provoking drama , thrills , chills , suspenseful and lots of violence . With an excellent cast , including sensational acting from the magnificent starring Alberto Ammann as a prisoner in a desperate attempt to survive the ordeal , suffering an emotional brutalization who causes an explosion of violence and of course a perfect Luis Tosar who steals the show as tough and violent Malamadre . The tale of two men on different sides of a prison riot , the prisoner nicknamed Malamadre (Luis Tosar) leading the rebellion and the young warden caught in the revolt named Juan Oliver (Ammann), who poses as an inmate in a desperate attempt to survive the violent events . The first day when Juan begins working on his new job as a prison warden , is caught in a prison riot . He then decides to impersonate another prisoner to save his life and to end the revolt . Later on , terrible deeds happen and fury and revenge emerge . As Juan trapped in a world that does not belong and forgotten his fateful fate , erupts into an explosion of self-defensive violence showed on some breathtaking scenes .This exciting picture results to be an intense thriller that packs tension , straightforward intrigue , sober drama, and lots of violence . The film contains thrills and chills and is quite entertaining because being a laborious and intriguing suspense tale full of twists and turns . In the picture there are violence , drama , tension and a little bit of action in the final confrontation . The story contains a statement about inmate's mistreating , despair , betrayal and a strong criticism of the ruling class, unable to control a dangerous situation . Most part of the movie takes place into four walls of the jail involving and executing the preparatives of strict conditions demanded by the inmates . Highlighting the newcomer actor Alberto Ammann , giving a lesson in how he is able to withstand the weight of the flick and stand up to a great actor like Luis Tosar , making a memorable work as dreaded Malamadre , without falling into the prison movie clichés . Furthermore , an excellent support cast as the nasty informer Carlos Bardem (Juan Bardem's brother) and Antonio Resines as sadist and corrupt warden who uses unthinkable brutality . This is a perfectly realized and superbly crafted film . Interesting and thrilling screenplay by Jorge Guerricaechevarria (Eloy De Iglesia's usual screenwriter) though full of offensive stereotypes and not faithful to deeds . Appropriate cinematography by Carlos Gusi (Torrente, Box 507) who photographs splendidly the cold interiors from Zamora prison . Adequate and atmospheric musical score by Roque Baños (Fragiles, Machinist, Sexy beast, 800 bullets). The motion picture was stunningly directed by Daniel Monzon , a former cinema reviewer , he undertakes a skill and fascinating filmmaking with some sensationalist touch though is also intensely manipulative against prison guards ; this is his main big success . He previously directed fantasy (Heart of warrior) , comedy (Biggest robbery never told) and suspense (The Kovak box). Rating : Good , better than average. The film will appeal to prison genre buffs and Luis Tosar fans.
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98%
TOMATOMETER
· 47 reviews
88%
AUDIENCE
· 5K ratings
7.6/10
74.7K
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qhat a nice movie to watch