Movie Overview:
"Something Is About to Happen" (Spanish: Que nadie duerma) is a 2023 Spanish-Romanian drama thriller directed by Antonio Méndez Esparza. The screenplay is co-written by Esparza and Clara Roquet, based on the novel Que nadie duerma by Juan José Millás. This is Esparza's fourth feature film and his first time working with a professional cast.
Plot Summary:
Set in Madrid, the film follows Lucía, a software developer who loses her job and becomes a taxi driver. While driving, she fantasizes about her life and listens to Puccini's Turandot. A steamy encounter with a new neighbor who disappears leads Lucía to use her taxi driving job to search for him. As she interacts with her clientele, seeking connection and self-reinvention, she becomes entangled in a potential nefarious plot. The film blends eccentric dramedy with a gripping thriller narrative.
Director's Vision:
While specific details on Antonio Méndez Esparza's vision are not explicitly available, the film is described as blending "neo-realism in pursuit of social justice and operatic delirium under a veneer of modernity" and building "an unusual bridge between the Spanish costumbrista drama and the cinema of Charlie Kaufman." The director is known for his neorealist style, often working with non-actors and improvisation, though this film marks his first time working with a professional cast.
Themes:
Midlife crisis and reinvention: The film explores Lucía's journey as she reinvents herself after losing her job, seeking connection and purpose in a new vocation.
Reality vs. fantasy: Lucía's dreamy nature and fantasies blur the lines between reality and her inner world, creating a mysterious and unsettling atmosphere.
Loneliness and connection: As a taxi driver, Lucía moves among people yet experiences loneliness, longing for deeper connections.
Social commentary: The film subtly critiques the social fabric of society through Lucía's experiences and her interactions with strangers in Madrid.
Female perspective: The lead character is described as a female version of protagonists from "Joker" and "Taxi Driver," suggesting an exploration of similar themes through a female lens.
Obsession and vulnerability: The film delves into the darker aspects of human behavior, exploring obsession and the consequences of preying on vulnerable individuals.
Key Success Factors:
Malena Alterio's performance: Alterio's "career-defining" and Goya-winning performance as Lucía is a major highlight, praised for captivating the audience.
Genre blending: The film's unique fusion of genres, from eccentric dramedy to gripping thriller, subverts expectations and keeps the audience engaged.
Intriguing narrative: The film's plot, based on a novel by Juan José Millás, offers a "deceptively convoluted story" that keeps viewers hooked.
Atmospheric direction: Esparza's direction effectively blends mundane city life with operatic and thrilling elements, creating a unique cinematic experience.
Summary (Short):
"Something Is About to Happen" is a genre-bending Spanish thriller-comedy about Lucía, a former IT worker turned taxi driver in Madrid. As she searches for a missing neighbor, she gets drawn into a web of mystery and intrigue, blurring the lines between reality and fantasy. Malena Alterio delivers a captivating, award-winning performance in this unique and unsettling film.
Awards, and Nominations (IMDB): 6 wins & 6 nominations
Goya Awards 2024: Best Lead Actress (Malena Alterio) - Won
Cinema Writers Circle Awards, Spain: Best Actress (Malena Alterio) - Won
Forqué Awards 2023: Best Actress in a Film (Malena Alterio) - Won
CEC Medals 2024: Best Actress (Malena Alterio) - Won
Actors and Actresses Union Awards 2024: Best Film Actress in a Leading Role (Malena Alterio) - Won
Valladolid International Film Festival 2023 (Seminci): Golden Spike - Nominated
Feroz Awards 2024: Best Actress in a Film (Malena Alterio) - Won, Best Supporting Actress in a Film (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón) - Nominated, Best Original Soundtrack (Zeltia Montes) - Nominated
Actors and Actresses Union Awards 2024: Best Film Actress in a Secondary Role (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón) - Nominated
Platino Awards 2024: Best Actress (Malena Alterio) - Nominated
Critical Reception:
Critical reception has been largely positive, praising Malena Alterio's performance and the film's genre-bending narrative.
Positive reviews: Critics have described the film as "disconcerting, captivating, and powerful," a "true tour de force," and "gripping." It has been lauded for its blend of genres, its exploration of character, and its atmospheric portrayal of Madrid.
Comparisons: Some reviewers have drawn comparisons to films like "Taxi Driver," "Joker," and the works of Charlie Kaufman and Michael Haneke, highlighting its psychological depth and genre-subverting nature.
Mixed-to-positive: Some reviews note that the film might be "a bit didactic" or "meta" at times, and that the plot relies on coincidences, but overall, the film's strengths, particularly Alterio's performance, outweigh these minor criticisms.
Box Office Performance:
The movie has a gross worldwide box office of $125,125.
Reviews on Cinema Sites:
Fotogramas: Jordi Costa from Fotogramas states, "Something is About to Happen grabs you and keeps you hooked...."
Sensacine: Sara Heredia from Sensacine calls it "A disconcerting, captivating and powerful movie."
Cinemanía: Philipp Engel from Cinemanía describes it as "A true tour de force, with a Titane moment included."
Washington City Paper: Ella Feldman from Washington City Paper notes, "Antonio Méndez Esparza's film transforms from an eccentric dramedy into a gripping, metatextual thriller that turns out to have more in common with Taxi Driver than just a job."
Production (Summary):
"Something Is About to Happen" is a Spanish-Romanian co-production. It is based on Juan José Millás' novel Que nadie duerma. Filming locations included Usera (Madrid) and Toledo, Spain. It is Antonio Méndez Esparza's first time working with a professional cast.
Production Companies:
Aquí y Allí Films
Wanda Visión
Que nadie duerma AIE
Avanpost
With participation from:
RTVE
Amazon
Telemadrid
And backing from:
ICAA
Ayuntamiento de Madrid
Comunidad de Madrid
Castilla-La Mancha Impulsa
Distribution & Sales (Summary):
International sales are handled by Film Factory Entertainment. In Spain, the film is distributed by Wanda Visión.
Distribution and Sales Companies:
Film Factory Entertainment (International Sales)
Wanda Visión (Spain Distribution)
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10602132/
Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/451794/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/something-is-about-to-happen (US), https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/que-nadie-duerma-2023 (Spain)
Why to Recommend This Movie / Why You Should Watch Movie:
Award-winning lead performance: Malena Alterio's portrayal of Lucía is critically acclaimed and award-winning, making it a compelling reason to watch.
Unique genre blend: The film's mix of thriller, comedy, and drama offers a refreshing and unpredictable cinematic experience.
Intriguing and mysterious plot: Based on a novel, the story keeps you guessing and engaged as Lucía navigates her strange new reality.
Atmospheric Madrid setting: The film provides a unique and sometimes unsettling portrayal of Madrid, adding to the overall mood.
Thought-provoking themes: Explores themes of identity, loneliness, and the blurring lines between reality and fantasy, offering substance beyond simple entertainment.
Critical acclaim: Positive reviews and awards recognition indicate a film of quality and artistic merit.
"Something Is About to Happen" is a compelling and unique film, primarily driven by Malena Alterio's exceptional, award-winning performance. It's a genre-bending movie that successfully mixes thriller, comedy, and drama elements to create an intriguing and unsettling cinematic experience. The film is recommended for viewers who appreciate character-driven stories, enjoy a blend of genres, and are looking for something beyond typical thrillers. If you are drawn to films with strong female leads and thought-provoking themes, and you appreciate a touch of dark humor and mystery, then "Something Is About to Happen" is definitely worth watching.
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