★ 8 / 10
Excellent and violent thriller with awesome performances from Antonio De La Torre and Roberto Álamo
ma-cortes
May God Save Us (Que Dios Nos Perdone) dealing with two men who cannot control their lives , it is set in Madrid , summer 2011 . Economic crisis . 15-m…
May God Save Us (Que Dios Nos Perdone) dealing with two men who cannot control their lives , it is set in Madrid , summer 2011 . Economic crisis . 15-m movement and 1.5 million pilgrims waiting for the Pope's arrival live side by side in a Madrid that's hotter and more chaotic than ever . In this context , is when two Police Inspectors with an institutionalized dereliction of duty , the stuttering Luis Velarde (Antonio De La Torre) and the violent Alfaro (Roberto Álamo) must find what appears to be a serial killer and meanwhile , they pull off extreme actions . This hunt against the clock will make them realize something they'd never thought about : none of them is more different than the murderer . The two detectives pursue relentlessly the ruthless murderous and at whatever cost . Both of whom carry out a merciless chase which unspools in a hot Madrid overrun by the pilgrims because of a visit by the pope , Juan Pablo II , including unexpected outbursts in which take place ominous murders , treason , violence and vengeance .This is a grimy as well as moving -though downbeat- thriller in American style , here there are violent scenes , intrigue , frantic action , interesting characters and a lot of surprising twists and turns . The violence could be deemed excessive , especially when it occurs some grisly killings . Rodrigo Sorogoyen's "May God Save Us" , turns out to be to be a great thriller ; resulting in a stirring serial-killer procedural . This melancholic movie is multi-layered in its issues of friendship , violence , confrontation , relentless pursuit and twisted finale . Acting , settings , photography , soundtrack and glossy production values create an above average film , being filled with suspense , frenetic action , thrills , violence , extreme tension and plot twists . One backer , the great production company : Tornasol Films , won an Academy Award for "The Secret in Their Eyes" , while another , Antena Tres media Cinema Production , financed movies made by prestigious directors . Nice and evocative production design , as we see some central zones from Madrid , downtown , Puerta Del Sol , Gran Via , but also its poorness and misery , and some others fine locations . High profile cast with splendid duo protagonist : Antonio De La Torre and Roberto Álamo are frankly top-notch , both of them give two unforgettable and top-drawer interpretations . Support cast is pretty well , such as : Luis Zahera , Mónica López , Andrés Gertrúdix , Alfonso Bassave and José Luis Garcia Pérez . Special mention for Javier Pereira who plays splendidly a surprising role . It packs colorful , sunny and atmospheric cinematography by Álex de Pablo . Thrilling and exciting musical score by Olivier Arson . Álex De Pablo and Olivier Arson are expert craftsmen and Rodrigo Sorogoyen's regulars. This grueling film ¨Que Dios Nos Perdone¨ ("May God Save Us") was stunningly directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen , adding a big step up in scale , budget and producing team to his previous works . ¨Que Dios Nos Perdone¨ making an appearance at the San Sebastian Film Festival , set to premiere in competition and achieving various awards . As prizes for homegrown talent , as screenwriter Isabel Peña and Rodrigo Sorogoyen won the Jury Prize for Best Screenplay for this tense Spanish film and subsequently it won some Goya Awards . Rodrigo is a television veteran with literally hundreds of episodes worth of work to his credit , Sorogoyen is a relatively recent newcomer to the world of features with ¨May God Save Us standing¨ as just his third feature effort and with this great production it would appear he's navigating the transition just fine . Being his first picture the romantic comedy ¨8 Citas¨, or international title ¨8 dates¨ . This his third feature ¨Que Dios Nos Perdone¨ (May God Save Us) , following 2013's Goya-nominated "Stockholm" that also starred Javier Pereira in which Sorogoyen turned heads with his crowdfunded film about a one-night stand between a girl on the edge of a nervous breakdown and a guy who just wants to have sex and leave . Similarly to his previous film "Stockholm" , in Rodrigo Sorogoyen's "May God Save Us" , there is an study of male psychology . ¨Que Dios Nos Perdone¨ rating : 7,5/10 . Better than average . Essential and indispensable watching . Worthwhile seeing .
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★ 8 / 10
crimes and punishments
dromasca
'Que Dios nos perdone' (distributed in the English-language market with the title 'May God Save Us'), the 2016 film by Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen…
'Que Dios nos perdone' (distributed in the English-language market with the title 'May God Save Us'), the 2016 film by Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen surprised me, and probably a similar reaction was felt by many who know cinema Spanish especially from the films of famous directors like Almodovar or before him Bunuel, and less through the works of those who do not enjoy the same international fame. However, a national cinema school must also be judged by the 'ordinary' films, those that attract the public and enjoy local success, but sometimes have less chance with distribution outside the country. This is probably the case with 'Que Dios nos perdone', an excellent psychological thriller and film inspired by the life and characters of police officers, which rises to the level of the best films of this genre produced by American or French cinema.
Velarde and Alfaro, two inspectors from the Madrid police criminal brigade, are the first to identify the link between two cases that represented the beginning of a chain of crimes committed by a serial murderer and rapist who chooses elderly women as victims. The two are good professionals and dedicated police officers, and in a short time they manage to establish a psychological portrait of the murderer that gradually brings them closer to his discovery. However, the cases happen during the period when the Spanish police (and probably politicians) are busy with an official visit of the pope and have an interest in avoiding negative publicity. Encouraged by the apparent lack of echo of his crimes, the killer continues the series of murders. Police officers are not angels either, their private lives face difficult problems. One of them has violent outbursts that probably origin is in family life (his wife leaves him for a lover, his daughter goes through the rebellions of adolescence). The other policeman carries with him the childhood traumas that caused a chronic stutter, and hence the impossibility of starting a family or even maintaining long-term relationships with the women he meets. From a moment on, the spectators will also know who the murderer is, and his confrontation with the two policemen will become more and more personal. In the absence of institutional and psychological support, the two police officers are forced to resort to unconventional methods. Can justice be done within the legal system, do the policemen still have moral or legal authority when the conflict with the criminals becomes too personal?
Starting from a detective intrigue filled with forensic elements and psychological profiling like those that abound in television series, 'Que Dios nos perdone' goes far beyond the limits of the genre and asks these general questions, valid in Spain, of course, but also in any other part of the world. The cinematography is excellent, the narration is cursive, and the two cops played by Antonio de la Torre and Roberto Álamo are very credible on screen. As spectators, we care about them, even if many of their actions can be questioned. The film by director Rodrigo Sorogoyen manages to create an intrigue and heroes that catch our attention and involve us as spectators. Recommended viewing.
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7.1/10
13.7K
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Great movie highly recommended.