Siete mesas de billar francés (2007)

Angela and her young son Guille travel to the big city to see Leo, her father and the boy's grandfather, when he suddenly takes ill. However, they arrive to discover that he has just passed... See full summary »

Director:

Gracia Querejeta

Writers:

David Planell, Gracia Querejeta

Stars:

Maribel Verdú, Blanca Portillo, Jesús Castejón

11 wins & 21 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Maribel Verdú	...	Ángela
Blanca Portillo	...	Charo
Jesús Castejón	...	Antonio
Víctor Valdivia	...	Guille
Enrique Villén	...	Tuerto
Raúl Arévalo	...	Fele
Ramón Barea	...	Jacinto
Lorena Vindel	...	Evelin
Natalia Mateo	...	Julia
César Cambeiro	...	Mouriños
José Luis García Pérez	...	Fran (as José Luis García-Pérez)
Amparo Baró	...	Emilia
Sebastián Haro	...	Encargado peajes
Luisa Merelas	...	Luchi
Celia Bermejo	...	Vecina Tuerto

Storyline

Angela and her young son Guille travel to the big city to see Leo, her father and the boy's grandfather, when he suddenly takes ill. However, they arrive to discover that he has just passed away. Charo, the dead man's lover, explains the dire traits suffered by the paternal business: a hall with seven billiard tables. Charo is convinced that the only way to pay off the debts is to sell the place. However, Angela learns that her husband has disappeared in mysterious circumstances. Given this painful reality, Angela resolves to get on and rebuild her life. And the first thing she decides to do is put her savings into getting the old place and its seven tables back up on its feet.

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Plot Keywords:

billiards | bar | son

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

5 October 2007 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Seven Billiard Tables

Filming Locations:

Madrid, Spain

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£51,287 (UK) (14 December 2007)

Gross:

£51,287 (UK) (14 December 2007)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Elías Querejeta Producciones Cinematográficas S.L.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

116 min 116 min (European Film Market)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Soundtracks

"Parque Triana"
Written by Miguel Campello (as Miguel Campello Garzón) and Carlos Tato Moreno
Performed by elbicho

User Reviews

Tour de force

This film is directed by Gracia Querejeta, a terrific Spanish female director who also directed films such as CUANDO VUELVAS A MI LADO o HÉCTOR. It was on the official section of San Sebastian Film Festival where it received great reviews, especially for the two lead actresses, Maribel Verdú and Blanca Portillo. The last won the prize for best actress. It was kind of strange because everybody was expecting Maribel Verdú to win, but finally her co-star was the awarded one. I think that both actresses should had won ex-aequo.

The film is about Ángela (Maribel Verdú) and Charo (Blanca Portillo) two women who struggles to survive after a relative passed away. That man was Ángela's father and was Charo's de facto husband. I'm not going to explain all the film, but I have to say that is a wonderful tale where we can see how two person with nothing in common(only the man who passed away) help each other although they have their differences. It's about woman's great sense of companionship in rough situations.

Superb performances by all the cast, especially Maribel Verdú, Blanca Portillo, Victor Valdivia as Ángela's little son, Jesús Castejón as Charo's love interest and Lorena Vindel as a south American young girl who worked for Angela's father and help her with the new bar. Terrific script by Gracia Querejeta and David Planell, that was awarded on San Sebastian Film Festival too.

I have to mention the end of the film. It's a perfect ending, simply perfect.It couldn't have finished of another way.

**** 1/2 out of *****