Breakinger
A Brilliant Conflict
SanEat
A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."
Billy Ollie
Through painfully honest and emotional moments, the movie becomes irresistibly relatable
bsuncana
I've been trying to find this movie for about a week! I've watched it a few years ago when I was 15 or something and it stuck with me as a cool film but I couldn't remember any specific scene or an actor and I wasn't even sure that it was a Spanish movie. I only remembered the ending and Google couldn't help me at all. I actually scrolled my local movie festival's Facebook page 4 years back and finally found it just when I was about to give up and continue to live my life in darkness and misery! I must admit, the movie isn't an 8, it's really more like a strong 4 or 5, but I am just so happy that I found it!Seriously, it isn't that bad, I'm just pickier than I was 4 years ago. Go watch it! And write its name down somewhere, just in case!
kvatter
If Garry Marshall were to make a Spanish movie, this would be it. It is filled with those kind of stereo-typed characters that only exist in movies and TV shows. We have the aunt that smokes cigarettes while requiring an oxygen tank (it's supposed to be funny, don't ya know). The slow-adult that spouts words of wisdom that are supposed to makes us all sigh at his deepness unencumbered by thought. There's the little girl who is smarter than her father (isn't she just so precious). Each character is once removed from reality and each is dealing with their own particular problems which are all neatly resolved at the end. All this against the backdrop of a wedding, which itself is against the backdrop of the world cup. It's all cute and entertaining to a degree but really never fully engages you because you always know it's not real and could never be. Like watching a TV sitcom. For example, a wedding procession which occurs early in the film introduces many of the characters by having them dancing down the isle. It is preparing you for what is to come and it will make you squirm.
Sara Martin
I was quite disappointed by 'La gran familia española' which was just nice to see but not a film to remember, or revisit. Too many elements are pushed together onto a plot that is too close for comfort to old-fashioned Spanish 'costumbrismo'. If this is your introduction to Sánchez Arévalo you run the risk of missing much better films by him, like the super 'Azul Oscuro, Casi Negro', the excellent 'Gordos' and the very funny 'Primos', a much better comedy than 'La gran familia española'. I'll grant, though, that the cast is very solid, with Arévalo's fetish actors Antonio de la Torre and Quim Gutiérrez doing their best, with interesting performances by Verónica Echegui and the younger actors.
a_vitto
Fantastic ! Very human, funny, witty and sad at times... Everything mix with typical Spanish customs ... Love love love this movie. The movie is about an Spanish family of 5 boys told by the youngest boy. Efrain the youngest is planning to get married he same day that Spain plays the world cup. The wedding is held at the farm where they grew up until their mother leaves them. The movie happens all one day, but what a day full with surprises, laughter, tears, and everything that could happen on a wedding. Its very Spanish full of stereotypes, but tastefully represented. One of the brothers is slow but so kind, innocent and so funny that basically makes the movie very special . I will watch this again !
