Review of Happy 140

Happy 140 (2015)
6/10
Interesting drama with fine actors , appropriate photography , and professional direction by Gracia Querejeta .
22 February 2016
Charming and sensitive drama starred by troublesome characters who reunite themselves at a birthday celebration . Dramatic film dealing with human ambition , domestic violence , friendship , relatives relationship and many other things . Including fine performances , perceptible and rousing musical score as well as brilliant cinematography in juicy atmosphere . This is an attractive and enjoyable portrait of big city people who have an appointment at a rural mansion . As a group of friends and family reunite at the fancy new holiday home of a woman called Elia (this role of Maribel Verdú was written for her) who is about to turn 40 and just wants to make everyone happy . A heartbreaking film about a woman faces a major lifestyle change after winning the big ¨Euromillon lottery Prize¨ : 140 million of Euros . There appears the astute but mistreating lawyer Juan (Antonio de la Torre) , his wife and Elia's sister , Cati , (Miriam Alvarez) , their free-spirited adolescent son (Marcos Ruiz) , Ramón (Eduard Fernández) , a restaurant owner in crisis , and his wife Martina (Nora Navas) , along with Polo (Alex O'Dogherty) . A bit later on , by helicopter it shows up Mario (Ginés García Millán) , Elia's old sweetheart , and his new girlfriend , Claudia (Paula Cancio). Later on , it takes place a tragedy and things go awry . Then , all of them are seriously affected after being involved in a grave happening , and it emerges corruption , ambition , vengeance , and silence . Elia and friends will learn to face their fears and limitations .

Witty and thought-provoking drama with enticing roles perfectly interpreted by sensational actors . A nicely crafted , well-played flick , founded on a perfectly calibrated screenplay whose emotional grip tightens as it proceeds . ¨Felices 140¨ is possibly one of the most engaging and underrated Spanish films of 2015 . This interesting as well as intimate story is a passionate retelling and a touching drama . It is a strong flick that contains emotion , family drama , nostalgic feeling , betrayed loves , twists and many other things . Being based on an anecdote co-writer Santos Mercero heard on the radio . The tale relies heavily on the continued relationship among friends , but it doesn't make boring but entertaining . The splendid casting is frankly well . Maribel Verdú gives a marvelously subtle performance as a profoundly unsettling human being who suffers the consequences of his wrong decisions . Ginés Garcia Millán gives possibly the most complex acting as the former boyfriend who returns to meet his old flame but accompanied by a new girlfriend . They are supported by a magnificent secondary cast , such as Nora Navas , Eduard Fernández , Marian Álvarez , Paula Cancio , Marcos Ruiz , and Alex O'Dogherty . The movie won several awards : Toulouse Cinespaña 2015 Best Screenplay : Gracia Querejeta , Santos Mercero ; Turia Awards 2015 : Special Award Gracia Querejeta . And nominated various Goyas : Goya Awards 2016 , Best Supporting Actress : Nora Navas and Marian Álvarez .

Colorful and adequate cinematography by Juan Carlos Gomez who has photographed successes as ¨Azuloscurocasinegro¨, ¨La Gran Familia Española¨, ¨Elsa Y Fred¨, ¨El Bola¨ ; being shot on location in Tenerife , Canary Islands . Emotive and lively musical score by Federico Jusid . Federico is considered to be one of the best Spanish/Argentinean composers with a lot of hits , such as ¨Club Incomprendidos¨ , ¨Francisco , El Padre Jorge¨ ,¨La Corona Partida¨ and for TV as ¨Carlos Rey Emperador¨ and ¨Isabel¨ series . Well produced by the great as well as prolific producer Gerardo Herrero who got to join a numerous team of popular and prestigious players . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Gracia Querejeta , realized in her particular style, being filmed in her usual formal and stylistic scholarship , without leaving a trace the brooding themes , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement . Querejeta is particularly known by making films about the underprivileged and dealing with provoking issues . Gracia Querejeta was born (1963) in Madrid , where she uses to shoot her pictures . Daughter of costume designer Maiki Marín and the noted producer , recently deceased , Elías Querejeta . Gracia is a notorious director and writer , known for ¨Siete Mesas Billar Francés¨ 2007 , ¨Héctor¨, ¨Cuando Vuelvas a Mi Lado¨ 1999 , ¨El Ultimo Viaje Robert Rylands¨ 1996 , ¨Una Estación de Paso¨ 1992 , being her most successful movie : ¨15 Años Y 1 Dia¨ , that achieved Goya Awards . And of course , this ¨Felices 140¨ that failed at box office . Rating : 6.5/10 . Better than average . Well worth watching .
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