Review of Solas

Solas (1999)
7/10
A brooding and thought-provoking film concerning thorny themes
23 March 2021
This is a bold and nice film about a woman on the edge of depression and nervous breakdown and who finally finds a purport in her thunderous life . It deals with a thirty and some year old woman : Ana Fernández who lives in the noisy city by working badly in cleaning jobs . When her mother : Maria Galiana comes to town to care her ill father at hospital , she stays at her home. Both of whom meet a sympathetic elderly neighbour : Carlos Álvarez Novoa who befriend and help them. Things go wrong when Maria is pregnant and her boyfriend wants she aborts.

A thoughtful and sad film about three lost souls attempting to give each other love as well as strength to start over , dealing with poorness , loneliness , abusiveness , desperation and ultimately redemption. It is a pretty good film , though some dowbeat and depressing , however , the final part results to be very sensitive and touching . The cast is frankly excellent , giving terrific interpretations . Ana Fernández is top-notch as the woman who moves to city to find a fateful destination , while Maria Galiana is awesome as the passive and kind mother .Special mention for Carlos Álvarez Novoa as the likeable neighbor who lives as a recluse and whose only company is his dog . They are finely accompanied by a good support cast with brief appearances from Juan Fernández as the egoistic boyfriend , Antonio Dechent as a doctor , Paco Tous , Maria Alfonsa Rosso, Mariana Cordero, Rosario Pardo and Cuca Escribano .

The motion picture was compellingly directed by Benito Zambrano and it won various Spanish Goyas . As it was Goya winner : Best supporting actress Maria Galiana , Best New Acress Ana Fernández, Best original screenplay and Best new director Benito Zambrano , Best original score Antonio Meliveo , Best Production Manager Eugenio Santana , Best Sound and Best Film Antonio P. Pérez , Maestranza Films . And Tokyo International Festival winner Best actor award Carlos Alvarez Novoa , Winner Best actress award Maria Galiana , and Turia Awards 2000 Winner Best Spanish film , Best actress Ana Fernandez . Furthermore , other prizes in multiple Festivals as Angers European First Film Festival , Ariel Awards Mexico , Asecan , Argentinean Film Critics Association Awards , Berlin International Film Festival, Bogotá Film Festival , Brussels International Film Festival, Cartagena , Chicago International Festival, Fotogramas De Plata , Cinema Writers Circle Awards Spain , among others . Andalucía-born Benito Zambrano is a good filmmaker who has made a few but prestigious films such as : Habana Blues , La Voz Dormida , Intemperie and this big hit : Solas. Rating :7/10 . Notable . Better than average. Well worth watching . Essential and indispensable seeing .
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