Lágrimas negras (1998)

Directors:

Fernando Bauluz
Ricardo Franco

Writers:

Ricardo Franco (writer)
Ángeles González Sinde (writer)

Release Date:

26 February 1999 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

BLACK TEARS tells a tragic love stoey. Andre's life is completely shaken after he meets Isabel. She is not really crazy...

Plot Keywords:

Female Nudity

Awards:

1 win & 2 nominations

Cast

Ariadna Gil	...	Isabel
Fele Martínez	...	Andrés
Elena Anaya	...	Alicia
Ana Risueño	...	Cinta
Elvira Mínguez	...	Marta
Felipe Vélez	...	Máximo Garcia
Arturo Acero	...	Policia
Elena Lombao	...	Mac
Maruja Yusti	...	Charo (as Maruxa Yusti)
Ángela Castilla	...	Doris
Alfonso Delgado	...	Luis
Concha Grégori	...	Indigente
Ramiro Alonso	...	Vendedor
José Urdiain	...	Inspector
Silvia Casanova	...	Abuela

Also Known As:

Black Tears (International: English title)

Runtime:

104 min

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Spain:18

Filming Locations:

Cascais, Lisbon, Portugal

Company:

Aurum

One word: Stunning!

I don't know why, possibly because of the DVD cover, but I expected something like the Brazilian/Portuguese masterpiece "Terra Estrangeira" in this flick. It's completely different, although it shares a couple of points. So those fooled by the cover, don't be. But then again, is this any weaker? Hell no! Lágrimas Negras shows us it's no surprise to see divine beings such as Almodovar in Spanish cinema. If an unknown film from the cinema culture of a land can be so magnificent, one should expect it to offer other excellent examples like it already does.

I hadn't heard of any of the actors or the director before seeing this movie, and I was almost shocked by their excellent performance. The picture selection is a little extraordinary, sometimes reminding slightly of "Tésis", yet it's flawless. The actress playing Isabel, Ariadna Gil, is not only one hell of a drop dead gorgeous woman, but she's also acting a mad woman as if she had been a mad woman in her past life!! If I saw those eye gestures in someone in real life, I'd advise her to see a psychiatrist asap. Absolutely no overacting or exaggeration, simply perfect. Be it the director's virtue, be it a great casting selection, the rest of the actors are also doing a great job. I've already fallen in love with Ariadna Gil, but it would be unfair to say anyone else on this movie is anywhere behind excellent. The screenplay is also perfect, so we have yet another person to thank and congratulate. I'm a guy at the age of the head character, and each time I saw a scene with him and his girlfriend, I said "how can a man cheat on such a lovely girl dude?!?". And each time I saw a scene with Isabel, I said "ok, I guess I could be deviated with such a deity as well". This isn't only because both women are attractive, but also because their aura is utilized efficiently and perfectly by the director and the screenplay.

Any grade below 9/10 would be an insult to this movie, so here's my 10/10.