Siete mesas de billar francés

This film is directed by Gracia Querejeta, a terrific Spanish female director who also directed films such as CUANDO VUELVAS A MI LADO o HÉCTOR. It was on the official section of San Sebastian Film Festival where it received great reviews, especially for the two lead actresses, Maribel Verdú and Blanca Portillo. The last won the prize for best actress. It was kind of strange because everybody was expecting Maribel Verdú to win, but finally her co-star was the awarded one. I think that both actresses should had won ex-aequo.

The film is about Ángela (Maribel Verdú) and Charo (Blanca Portillo) two women who struggles to survive after a relative passed away. That man was Ángela's father and was Charo's de facto husband. I'm not going to explain all the film, but I have to say that is a wonderful tale where we can see how two person with nothing in common(only the man who passed away) help each other although they have their differences. It's about woman's great sense of companionship in rough situations.

Superb performances by all the cast, especially Maribel Verdú, Blanca Portillo, Victor Valdivia as Ángela's little son, Jesús Castejón as Charo's love interest and Lorena Vindel as a south American young girl who worked for Angela's father and help her with the new bar. Terrific script by Gracia Querejeta and David Planell, that was awarded on San Sebastian Film Festival too.

I have to mention the end of the film. It's a perfect ending, simply perfect.It couldn't have finished of another way.

**** 1/2 out of *****

Angela : Maribel Verdú along with her young son Gille travel to the city of Vigo , Pontevedra, to see Leo , her father and child's grandfather , when he suddenly takes sick . However , when they arrive learn that he has just deceased . Charo : Blanca Portillo , father's lover , explains the left inheritance : a hall with seven billiard tables , but it 's full of debts . After that , Angela to be aware her hubby : José Luis Garcia Pérez, has disappeared in rare circumstances . Later on , Angela solves to get on and rebuild her life . And the first thing she makes up her mind is put her savings into getting the old place and to do good business by a nice investment : to reform the billiard hall.

Intelligent and and sensitive film with deep feeling and an attractive group of characters who find a painful reality while attempting to vanquish the difficulties . As the motley bunch of peculiar roles seek a redemption and find a solution : the hall with seven billiard tables , as all of them trying seven tables back up on its feet by forming an expert team of billiard players . An agreeable and touching film that will appeal to dramatic flick enthusiasts . There are very good performances all around as Maribel Verdú playing Angela who arrives in the big city to find suprising happenings and Blanca Portillo as Charo , the dead man's lover , who is convinced the only way to pay off the debts is to sell the place. They're finely accompanied by a top-notch support cast , such as : Jesus Castejón , Enrique Villen , Raúl Arevalo, Ramón Barea , Lorena Vindel, Amparo Baró and José Luis Garcia Pérez as the husband disappeared in mysterious circumstances.

It displays a colorful and evocative cinematography by cameraman Angel Iguácel , shot on location in Vigo, Pontevedra and Coslada, Madrid . As well as atmospheric and moving musical score by Pascal Gaigne. The motion picture was well directed by Gracia Querejeta (Ola de crimenes , 15 años y un dia , Invisibles, Una Estacion de Paso , Hector , Cuando vuelvas a mi lado, El último viaje de Robert Rylands). Rating . 7/10. Worthwhile watching . And it had several Goya Awards and nominations , such as : Winner Goya to best lead actress Maribel Verdú , Best supporting Amparo Baró , Best supporting actor Raul Arévalo , Best lead actress Blanca Portillo , Best director Gracia Querejeta . San Sebastián International Festival winner best screenplay , winner best actress Maribel Verdú , Nominee Golden Seashell best actress Blanca Portillo. Sant Jordi Awards winner supporting male performance Raul Arévalo . Toulouse Cinespaña winner best actress Blanca Portillo , winner director Gracia Querejeta , among others .