20 centímetros (2005)

Director:

Ramón Salazar

Writer:

Ramón Salazar (writer)

Release Date:

10 June 2005 (Spain)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical

Plot:

A narcoleptic transvestite who yearns to become a transsexual dreams up elaborate musical numbers in which she's the star.

Plot Keywords:

Dream | Savings | Prostitute | Narcolepsy | Operation

Awards:

6 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Mónica Cervera	...	Marieta
Pablo Puyol	...	El reponedor
Miguel O'Dogherty	...	Tomás
Concha Galán	...	Berta
Macarena Gómez	...	Rebeca
Lola Dueñas	...	Hermana de Rebeca
Pilar Bardem	...	Candelaria
Juan Sanz	...	Gustavo
Rossy de Palma	...	Ice Box
Najwa Nimri	...	Bunny
Geli Albaladejo	...	Empleada ETT
Fany de Castro	...	Fruit Stocker's Mother
Vicente Haro	...	Fruit Stocker's Father
María Lalane	...	Maestra
Pep Noguera	...	Superior

Also Known As:

20 Centimeters (International: English title)
20 Centimetres (Australia)
20 centimètres (France)

Runtime:

Spain:112 min

Country:

France | Spain

Language:

English | Spanish | French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Brazil:18 | Italy:VM18 | Singapore:R21 (cut) | Portugal:M/16 | Australia:R | Spain:18

Company:

Aligator Producciones

Soundtrack:

Verde que te quiero verde

Imitation Almodovar with some redeeming qualities

Vibrant music, bright colors, trannys working the street, pathos, laughter--you name it, this film's got it. You'll find much of the same in any Almodovar film, but this isn't Almodovar by a long shot. You have to admire a lot about it, the actors, the direction, the inventive costumes and make up, but ultimately, despite the catalog of intriguing aspects, the film doesn't add up to very much.

Marieta's narcolepsy doesn't serve the plot except as a device for dream sequence song and dance numbers. These episodes seemed like music videos dropped in out of nowhere. While they're bright and energetic, a lot of the time I couldn't help thinking how much better they would have been--particularly the choreography--if done by an American studio in the 1940s and '50s. I shock myself when I admit that, but it's what came to mind as I watched this film.

There's enough storyline in this movie for three separate films, which is part of the problem and part of the charm. Although I don't regret having seen 20 Centimeters, I wouldn't recommend you go out of your way to see it, unless you're part of the trans-gendered community. In which case, it's part of your heritage.