As Leis da Fronteira

If there was a database about bullying topic films, this one should belong to the top ten. I have not seen all of them of course, but this one is very well made ; directed and acted, close to what really happens to many kids and teenagers now, in 2021, with the help of social networks, young people who often commit suicide. In this feature, it is not question of Facebook or any other kind of network, it did not exist at the time this story happens, the eighties. But the spirit is nearly the same, the basic spirit, because it is not question of only bullying. It is not a film noi nor real crime flick either, but a social study thru the prism of deliquency, street hoodlums, petty ones, not real gangsters. It is obviously inspired by Marty Scorcese 's stuff, but it is not BRONX TALE either. Bob De Niro made it but Marty Scorcese was always above his shoulder. Very touching ending.

If you ever watched cine Kinki, equivalent of film noir with real crooks as actors from the early eighties, this film actually betters most of them. The advantage of having proper actors is that, ironically, makes it more multi-layered, you almost fall for such intriguing baddies cos they act so unbelievably well. Being a cine kinki fan, I was initially reticent about seein this, thank god I did, cos the journey the Gafitas goes through, from bullied kind boy to basically a full blown robber -and almost killer- inspired by his kinki Dulcinea, a girl next door if she were hotter than jalapeños and next door were a crack house, is mindblowing. An absolute must watch, like Gafitas, won´t leave you indiferent.

A smashing Spanish film perfectly recreating a feel of the late 1970s. Whilst the protagonists are ultimately criminals, one but cannot like all of them in one way or another. I strong insight into the characters and the evolution of a bullied introvert who finds new "family" and purpose in the local criminal gang. The writing and reproduction of the 1970s is superb. Despite being essentially a crime-spree film, many moments, and particularly the end, are deeply moving.

Trivial film at high levels and with a very forced plot, which however entertains and fascinates by making you become attached to all the characters and making you hope only for the best for them. So on a superficial level the film is very beautiful, but if one goes to look deeper the film is very weak and forced.

If your whole life, you have been belittled, bullied, not being taken seriously by other your own family or anyone else ... you will be quite susceptible to almost anything that show interest in you. Be it a woman and/or her friends, that may or may not be criminal (though to be fair it is quite obvious and not really a question that is tough to answer).

Having said that, the main character is very well drawn and his circumstances make you feel for and with him. It is throwback and goes back to a time, where everything was easier ... and tougher at the same time. Growing up back then had its own issues, but you did not have social media to mock and make fun of you. I can only imagine the level of bullying that is going on in todays schools.

But that is a side note in the whole story. Because what we do get is a twisted love story. A very complicated one - one where two persons that like each other seem unable to find each other. No pun intended ... but many great love stories had the biggest obstacles, so maybe that is a good sign ... and maybe not.

Really well done and well acted, this gives you an enticing and gripping thriller ...