Advantages of Travelling by Train

Travelling on a train, you might get someone who is ... let's say interesting. Than again, maybe you are also very interesting yourself. So this movie that is assembled of many parts and seems detached from each other, is actually very much connected. But if you've seen more than one movie, you can assemble that yourself.

What you may not be able to decode, is the connections. And while you can spend your time guessing, you can also just enjoy the mayhem and madness that occurs. There are many dark moments amongst the very fun and light moments. This mixture may not be to your taste, but the movie does that balancing act quite nicely. The tone is tough to acoomplish, but if you yourself are not too sensible, the movie will achieve satisfying your needs ... which may be even in a weird way. Again not judging one way or the other. Sick humor and some depraved things aside, this really is tension filled ... with an ending that you may guess in a way ... but that still is spot on - even if you may not know what it actually means (you can decide that for yourself)

I don't know even if i liked it!

This is a dark comedy/psychological drama thriller. A definition of weirdness. Bizarre, creepy, some hilarious moments, some frightening moments. Excellent acting, also well directed.

But, in my opinion, it is not as clever as the creators think it is. It is not mind blowing, neither it makes much sense. Some metaphors may make sense (abusive relationships at the second part) but overall, this is surrealistic, like a modern fairy tale where Logic and laws of physics don't apply. Like a Kafka's dream.

If that was the intention, it is still enjoyable and interesting even though I would prefer it more cohesive.

In any case, the ending is not good. That is a twist for the sake of twists. And it didn't mean anything, just something irrational, i think it's lazy writing.

If you like your movies to be absurd, watch it for sure.

Probably one of the best Spanish films in the decade in my humble opinion. These twisted stories are much more than that: a fantastic hyperbolic metaphor of a toxic, claustophobic relationship, a Proust-like character's vision of the world, a reflection on fiction itself... All of it wrapped up in very dark humour and some quite shocking scenes. The aforementioned scenes might put off some viewers and I can absolutely understand. Having said that, we might have said the same thing about OEdipus' parricide, incest and self-mutilation and passed on a great story. Thank God we didn't, and I hope most viewers will give this fresh take on narration a chance.

An absolutely bonkers Gilliam-esque thriller set in Spain that tells the stories of various unsavoury and down right horrific characters which may or may not be the invention of a supposed madman.

The direction is wonderful (think Wes Anderson on a small budget after having a little taste of LSD), the acting is stellar and the entire movie plays out like a surreal, hypnotic yet massively intriguing Grimms Brothers fairy tale. It is darkly humourous, massively entertaining and well worth a watch.

Unlike last year, there has not been an abundance of stellar foreign language movies released in the UK thus far, bar Portrait Of A Lady On Fire, but this offering really does remind you why Spanish cinema is gradually overtaking France as the best in Europe.

Highly recommended.

Bunuel meets Borat with the story telling structure of the Saragossa Manuscript. If one of those three hints triggers something, this might be a strange and bizarre ride for you into the realm of Spanish post surreal movie making. Interesting cinematography, but not entirely consistent.