Three teen agers, Rai, Javi and Manu, out of school for the summer, are friends from a marginal neighborhood of Madrid. The boys have no jobs to keep them busy and out of trouble. Rai, obviously the leader, has all the makings of falling into a life of crime. Javi, and Manu, on the other hand, are followers. Rai, has a secret he does not share with the other two. It involves selling drugs that an older man gives him. When he is caught by the police, the other two boys experience first hand what it is like to be taken to a precinct to be drilled by the authorities. Rai is clearly attracted to an easy life that will ultimately be his own downfall.
The only one that wants to do something with his life is Manu. He lives with his widower father who fills him with tales of his more successful brother, who does not have much time for them. Manu, having applied for a job as a pizza delivery, must rough it up taking public transportation to bring the pies to clients. One day he sees his father and discovers the real situation with his brother.
Fernando Leon Aranoa, the writer and director of this Spanish film, works in the slow European tradition emphasizing character rather than action. The film feels longer than what it really is. Things are left up in the air, as things are never brought to a semblance of having a solution. We realize where the director is taking us, but some situations are not fully developed. He gets better results in the acting he gets from his characters, rather than with the loose treatment of the material.
Crispulo Cabezas who appears as Rai is the most impressive of the three leads. He is clearly the leader. Eloi Yebra gives a more nuanced performance as Manu. Marieta Orozco is seen briefly as Susi, Javi's slutty sister.
The only one that wants to do something with his life is Manu. He lives with his widower father who fills him with tales of his more successful brother, who does not have much time for them. Manu, having applied for a job as a pizza delivery, must rough it up taking public transportation to bring the pies to clients. One day he sees his father and discovers the real situation with his brother.
Fernando Leon Aranoa, the writer and director of this Spanish film, works in the slow European tradition emphasizing character rather than action. The film feels longer than what it really is. Things are left up in the air, as things are never brought to a semblance of having a solution. We realize where the director is taking us, but some situations are not fully developed. He gets better results in the acting he gets from his characters, rather than with the loose treatment of the material.
Crispulo Cabezas who appears as Rai is the most impressive of the three leads. He is clearly the leader. Eloi Yebra gives a more nuanced performance as Manu. Marieta Orozco is seen briefly as Susi, Javi's slutty sister.