*Spoilers* This movie struck me hard. Its pace is like several short stories that bring the beauty of life in small conversations. It's not so very much a comedy, as it is more so a slice of life and drama. The pace does match the motif; this is Julian's walk towards the end of life.
The two friends are different people, but they understand each other - it's clear they fill each other's gaps. Tomas has to dive into the grim reality of Julian's coming death. Julian tackles the challenging procedures that accompany death with a level and mature head, much to Tomas' discomfort.
However, Tomas quickly understands although Julian is a strong personality and a brave person, he needs help getting through the 'logistics' of dying. He just needs a friend to walk with him to the end. Money is no question for Tomas, and it's interesting they don't speak too much about their personal past or talk about their memories together. But the two actors are so in sync in the present moment you feel like you are a voyeur in a very long and profound friendship.
It's also interesting to see the power of what having a true friend can do to your life. With Julian's encounters with the fake friends at the restaurant and the friend he hurt, we see very great slices of life. The power of having a great friend, the cowardice of 'fake' friends, the consequences of betraying a friend, and the accountability of taking ownership.
Although Tomas is at first uncomfortable with coordination with Julian through these painful rites of passage of death, he quickly steps up to the plate. When Julian realises how small an urn is, his eye turns glassy, and it is evident he is replaying his entire life. Hi was a stage legend in his life, and now everything of his being will be fit into a small jar. Tomas is fast to recognise this and takes charge of the conversation and asks for the estimates and billing information. He also facilitates Julian's visit to see his son Nico, and challenges Julian to do the right thing, and tell him of the decision to skip chemo.
I gave the actor who played Nico a hard time because he seemed so awkward, but when more is revealed about him later, I can understand how a 21 kid could look so uncomfortable. When Julian and Nico hug their last hug, I cried so so so much. I'm tearing up thinking about it even now. This film is such a powerful movie.
I wanted to mention; someone felt the sex scene was unnecessary. I felt at first the length of it was a bit overkill, but I understood the power in the point of the scene. Tomas and Paula are both frustrated with Julian, but still, can't find themselves being able to express how they feel as they know it would be unfair to Julian at this point of his life *death*. So to find a release for their frustration in orgasm is a touching scene, albeit a bit too long.
Then there's Truman. I have a dog, and this dog made me cry too much during this movie. Julian is broke at the end of his life. His boss fired from his passion for acting; he has no real friends in Madrid other than his cousin. Julian needs to be in control in the end, and he needs to be the one who decides when it's time for his life to end. But he knows he can't do any of this without knowing Truman is in good hands. Geez, at the very end of this movie, I was not expecting what I saw. When Tomas gives Julian the leash and starts talking, I just cried my life away. The actor who plays Tomas does this scene so well, of hearing out Julian, not interrupting him, and just accepting this gift. He understood that although he was able to bring joy to Julian, and hopefully give Julian strength (and money) to live a little bit longer to see his son again, Julian's choice was clear. He took care of every aspect Tomas would need to know, and gave him the best gift he could afford - his dog.
It also shows how he proves his love for his friend, he could not speak to him like he wanted to, nor could Tomas spend as much time as he wanted to, he could not express his feelings verbally, but he was present. He was present and able to take action for Julian. And this is such a great testament to what you can do for someone who has lost someone, or is grieving, or is at the end of their journey. Just be there, be present, just acknowledge them, and let them feel empowered to face their life situation.
I think this is the best movie I've seen this year. It is slow paced and simple but very touching. I hope everyone could have a friendship like this.
The two friends are different people, but they understand each other - it's clear they fill each other's gaps. Tomas has to dive into the grim reality of Julian's coming death. Julian tackles the challenging procedures that accompany death with a level and mature head, much to Tomas' discomfort.
However, Tomas quickly understands although Julian is a strong personality and a brave person, he needs help getting through the 'logistics' of dying. He just needs a friend to walk with him to the end. Money is no question for Tomas, and it's interesting they don't speak too much about their personal past or talk about their memories together. But the two actors are so in sync in the present moment you feel like you are a voyeur in a very long and profound friendship.
It's also interesting to see the power of what having a true friend can do to your life. With Julian's encounters with the fake friends at the restaurant and the friend he hurt, we see very great slices of life. The power of having a great friend, the cowardice of 'fake' friends, the consequences of betraying a friend, and the accountability of taking ownership.
Although Tomas is at first uncomfortable with coordination with Julian through these painful rites of passage of death, he quickly steps up to the plate. When Julian realises how small an urn is, his eye turns glassy, and it is evident he is replaying his entire life. Hi was a stage legend in his life, and now everything of his being will be fit into a small jar. Tomas is fast to recognise this and takes charge of the conversation and asks for the estimates and billing information. He also facilitates Julian's visit to see his son Nico, and challenges Julian to do the right thing, and tell him of the decision to skip chemo.
I gave the actor who played Nico a hard time because he seemed so awkward, but when more is revealed about him later, I can understand how a 21 kid could look so uncomfortable. When Julian and Nico hug their last hug, I cried so so so much. I'm tearing up thinking about it even now. This film is such a powerful movie.
I wanted to mention; someone felt the sex scene was unnecessary. I felt at first the length of it was a bit overkill, but I understood the power in the point of the scene. Tomas and Paula are both frustrated with Julian, but still, can't find themselves being able to express how they feel as they know it would be unfair to Julian at this point of his life *death*. So to find a release for their frustration in orgasm is a touching scene, albeit a bit too long.
Then there's Truman. I have a dog, and this dog made me cry too much during this movie. Julian is broke at the end of his life. His boss fired from his passion for acting; he has no real friends in Madrid other than his cousin. Julian needs to be in control in the end, and he needs to be the one who decides when it's time for his life to end. But he knows he can't do any of this without knowing Truman is in good hands. Geez, at the very end of this movie, I was not expecting what I saw. When Tomas gives Julian the leash and starts talking, I just cried my life away. The actor who plays Tomas does this scene so well, of hearing out Julian, not interrupting him, and just accepting this gift. He understood that although he was able to bring joy to Julian, and hopefully give Julian strength (and money) to live a little bit longer to see his son again, Julian's choice was clear. He took care of every aspect Tomas would need to know, and gave him the best gift he could afford - his dog.
It also shows how he proves his love for his friend, he could not speak to him like he wanted to, nor could Tomas spend as much time as he wanted to, he could not express his feelings verbally, but he was present. He was present and able to take action for Julian. And this is such a great testament to what you can do for someone who has lost someone, or is grieving, or is at the end of their journey. Just be there, be present, just acknowledge them, and let them feel empowered to face their life situation.
I think this is the best movie I've seen this year. It is slow paced and simple but very touching. I hope everyone could have a friendship like this.