From Deseret News archives:
Mondays in the Sun
Film review
While some of the situations are very specific — they were drawn from real-life events that took place in de Aranoa's homeland — the movie's themes are universal. (Hopefully the language barrier — the film is in Spanish but includes English subtitles — won't discourage American audiences from giving it a look.)
At times the film feels a bit episodic, as if de Aranoa had too much material and trimmed out transitional scenes that might have made it flow more smoothly. But that's a minor quibble with what's otherwise a strongly constructed and effective drama.
"Mondays in the Sun" features yet another terrific lead performance by Javier Bardem, who stars as Santa, one of a group of aging boat yard workers having a hard time adjusting to unemployment.
The fortysomething Santa has been getting into trouble of late — including a legal problem that just won't go away. And then there's his nearly constant carousing.
Still, he and his friends have one remaining refuge from the rather depressing reality: a wharf-side bar owned by Rico (Joaquin Climent). Though even his patience with his sometimes-whiny regulars seems to be coming to an end.
Screenwriters de Aranoa and Ignacio del Moral invest a lot of time developing these characters, most of whom emerge as flesh-and-blood creations. (Es- pecially Celso Bugallo's Amador, whose heartbreaking character arc gives the film added depth.)
And as expected, Bardem helps ground the film in reality. As the self-destructive Santa, his character's frustrations and confusions feel very real, very relatable.
His is the strongest performance in the ensemble. Aida Folch, an up-and-coming Spanish actress, manages to hold her own, and her Nata is probably the smartest character of this bunch.
"Mondays in the Sun" is rated R for occasional use of strong sexual profanity and crude sexual talk, a brief sex scene and violence (a brief brawl, as well as an act of vandalism). Running time: 113 minutes.
E-MAIL: jeff@desnews.com
