La torre de Suso (2007) Poster

User Reviews

Review this title
3 Reviews
Sort by:
Filter by Rating:
7/10
A nostalgic and attractive film about friendship, family relationship, love and promises
ma-cortes23 September 2018
After 10 years Cundo retuns Spain from Argentina to the funeral of his intimate friend Suso, it takes place at principality Asturias . As Suso is suddenly deceased by overdose and his friends get together. As Cundo, Javier Camara, finds his old friends Gonzalo de Castro, Cesar Vea , Jose Luis Alcobendas. Their schemes consist of having a binge, but then things go wrong .As they take a fistful of ashes to Suso's health . But Suso leaves much to be desired , as he had in mind a surprising project : to build a wood tower and Cundo wants to carry it out at whatever cost.

Enjoyable dramedy with emotion, sensitive moments, agreeable friendship, father-son relationship and lots of humor. The picture realies heavily on friendship among three old friends , but this one doesn't make boring, but entertaing. The picture also deals with interesting and engaging issues such as disemployment, coal crisis, drug abuse , economy downfall, family relationship and many other things. Main cast as Javier Camara , Gonzalo De Castro, Malena Alterio give spendid performances . A really superb support cast, such as the stunning parents magnificent played by Emilio Gutierrez Caba and Mariana Cordero. And the beloved friends as Alcobendas, Cesar Vea, Fanny Gautier, as well as Victor Clavijo as Suso's friend.

Colorful and evocative cinematography with wonderful natural outdoors by Carlos Suarez, Director Gonzalo Suarez's brother , he has photographed important films such as La vaquilla, Escopeta nacional, Patrimonio nacional, Nacional 3 , El detective y la muerte, Oviedo express, Dagon, Tuno negro, Sinatra, La luz prodigiosa, Conjura del Escorial, Don Juan de los infiernos and several others . Shot on location Asturias in Moveda, Mieres, Turon and Ujo . Atmospheric, adequate score with Asturian sounds , including soundtrack performed by Stukas with songs as Atrapado and Hazañas Belicas . The motion picture was well directed by Asturian filmmaker Tom Fernandez, adding self-biographic remarks . He is a notorious writer and director as TV as cinema. As he has written series as 7 vidas, Chiringuito de Pepe and others Sitcom. And directed successful films as Pancho el perro millonario y Para que sirve un oso , also starred by Javier Camara and Gonzalo de Castro .Rating :above average 7. The picture will appeal to Javier Camara fans
4 out of 4 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
Looking back without the rose colored glasses
aharmas24 June 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Spanish cinema has a different way to look at relationships; they pretty much slap you on the face with their approach. There is very little time to mop around and wonder what it could have been. Results are expected and reactions are provoked,usually with the delivery of an insult, strategically placed. Not to say that feelings are not taken into consideration, Spanish realism just has no time to waste in extended expositions or extra dialog. What we find in this film is many pitch perfect with every possible stereotype we can find in any family dramas, but each has been given an extra dash of color in order to highlight his or her faults.

As friends gather to honor the last request of one of their childhood group, we slowly learn that this is no ordinary town. Soon the protagonist learns how the rest of town feels about his sudden departure 10 years ago, and how they believe the death of Suso might be in more than one way related to his reckless past. There is plenty of resentment going around, and it is hard to dodge the bullets. In fact, changes happen when he allows his emotional core to be bruised.

"Suso's Tower" is a small film with plenty of aspirations. It succeeds in presenting an interesting slice of life in a very touching manner. The cast is more than adequate, with a simple Celtic-tinged score, and crystal clear depictions of the lovely countryside.
7 out of 9 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink
10/10
Redemption, Friendship, and Home.
leftbanker-12 May 2010
Warning: Spoilers
Four friends reunite at the funeral of a friend. Eventually and reluctantly they carry out his enigmatic final request. Along the way they learn about each other and themselves.

Stop me if you've heard it before? Like most light comedies, La Torre de Suso is fairly predictable but there is a right way and a wrong way to make a light comedy. Luckily for the viewers, this one gets it right at almost every fairly-predictable step along the way. The movie has an eye for honesty which allows us to see past the formulaic nature of a story about redemption. The movie has an ear for humor that had me laughing out loud in several scenes.

Although without any lines to recite, the beautiful landscape and culture of Asturias has a leading role in La Torre de Suso. More than ever I want to spend a few weeks there drinking sidra, eating great food, and enjoying the rain, the hills, and the vegetation. The four friends pay homage to their fallen friend as the film pays homage to this lovely province. The music by José Manuel and Javier Tejedor is very Asturiana and perfect at every moment.

We could use a lot more predictable movies about friendship and home.
5 out of 9 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

See also

Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews


Recently Viewed