Federico Luppi - Dr. Casares
Irene Visedo - Conchita
Eduardo Noriega - Jacinto
Guillermo del Toro (Director)
Set at the end of the Spanish civil war with Franco's Nationalists overtaking Spain, The Devil's Backbone is a film about loyalty, trust, friendship and faith. The location is an orphanage fill with children of the war (a well that del Toro visits often). The principal and head master are scraping trying to provide some sense of normality for these children.
Some time back a bomb was dropped in the courtyard, but tit didn't go off. That same night a child (Santi) disappeared. It is believed that he got scared and ran away, but the children speak of a voice the hear. Perhaps the voice of a ghost. Perhaps the voice of Santi.
The films starts with the arrival of a new boy, Carlos. He is hazed at first, but soon proves his worth and forms an alliance with the other boys. There is a handyman and his lover at the school. He seems to be up to no good and has the children suspicious.
I was impressed with the special effects in this movie. They were easy to see, but not corny. They really added an element to the film that other directors would have tried to polish out more. I am a fan of del Toro and now I know why. It is his world building abilities. In all his films (Pan's Labyrinth, Cronos and this film) he establishes a world and an atmosphere unlike any other director. They should seem foreign or insane but some how it all makes sense within that world.
I loved the performances in this movie. Marisa Paredes is one of the best things going. She is in a lot of Almodovar's films and I have never seen her and not be captivated by her. Federico Luppi was also in Cronos (Movie #78). He was just as good in this film as he was in that one, which is a major complement.
The Devil's Backbone is available on Netflix Watch Instant. I give the film ★★★1/2. Check out the Trailer Park to see for yourself.
No comments:
Post a Comment