The blues, dark, almost black... That's Daniel Sánchez Arévalo's message in his new highly rewarded azuloscurocasinegro. It happens to be the same color as the suit Jorge (Quim Gutiérrez) is dreaming of. This suit represents his freedom. Jorge's father has suffered a stroke and Jorge himself has to take care of him and the janitor duties he is now unable to do. In the meantime Jorge's brother (Antonio De la Torre) - who is in jail, falls in love with a girl called Paula (Marta Etura) he meets in prison. Jorge's friend Israel (Raúl Arévalo) is discovering secrets about his father and himself.

The life Jorge lives withholds his self-development, and retains his freedom. He obtained his management degree with self-study, but it's impossible for him to get the job he wants, because of his duties: his father and the janitor-job. He's in love with his neighbor girl (Eva Pallarés),but thinks a true relationship is impossible, because she is free an he is stuck in there. The movie itself is set in the same dark blue color setting, but it never gets too moody. there is a nice balance between the emotions (there are some really funny parts with Israel and with Jorge's brother Antonio),joined by a very decent score. The story never gets into extremes: the emotions are subtle but real. The characters are well developed (especially Jorge's and Paula's),and deep enough to be able to feel with them. Newcomer Daniel Sánchez Arévalo brings us a delicate story with a smile and a tear.

Jorge (Quim Gutiérrez) is stuck in a dead-end job and with an unrequited long-term love for the girl next door. His father has suffered a stroke and needs constant supervision, which Jorge alone manages. His brother is in prison. His best friend is contemplating his sexuality. In short, he is the epitome of a "nice guy" – the kind who is too nice to lie, cheat or think in even remotely self-serving paths. In Arévalo's directorial debut, we are offered a slice of his protagonist's life – to no discernible end, but still a worthwhile watch.

The latter can best be attributed to the film's preference of continuity to climaxes. It offers next to no culminations, 'key' scenes or satisfying plot development and instead presents a highly low-key story that takes a gentle yet unflinching look at a young man's life. Quim Gutiérrez is handsome, affable and intrinsically good as Jorge, giving a sweet little performance that is just a smidge to humourless to wow the audience or even go the extra mile. None of the other actors are particularly noteworthy, although Raúl Arévalo caters to the comedy part which undoubtedly elevates the whole film above generic drama formula. Make no mistake however – it is no comedy.

Azuloscurocasinegro is also one of the calmest films I have ever seen. seen. It is neither boring nor slow, but the pacing is peaceful and there is an underlying tranquility in the seamless intercutting of scenes, without resorting to dreamy cinematography or soothing nature shots. I suppose that is another way of saying not much happens in it, which is certainly quite true, but there is some emotional poignancy to be found, some sex scenes to be 'enjoyed' and above all remarkably insightful dialogue to be shared. It delivers little gems by the bucketload, puffed full of actual wisdom – best of all, it never feels forced. In the end, Azuloscurocasinegro is quite forgettable, but a sweet viewing nonetheless.

7 out of 10

After a prank followed by an argument with his father, who is the janitor of the building where they live and wants his son to follow his profession, the teenager Jorge (Quim Gutiérrez) witnesses his father having a stroke. Seven years later, Jorge is graduated in management with self-study, but he is stuck in life, working as janitor and taking care of his handicapped father. Jorge seeks a better job in the area he graduated, but he never lies about his duties as a janitor and the health of his father in the interviews; consequently he does not succeed in getting a new job. When his childhood girlfriend Natalia (Eva Pallarés) returns to her apartment after finishing college, Jorge has an inferiority complex but they stay together. Meanwhile his older brother Antonio (Antonio De la Torre) is in jail and falls in love for the inmate Paula (Marta Etura),who wants to get pregnant to be entitled to move to the nursery and escape from the violent mates. When Antonio finds that he is infertile, he asks Jorge to help Paula to get pregnant. Meanwhile his best friend Israel (Raúl Arévalo) discloses a secret about his father while snooping the building on the other side of the street.

'Azuloscurocasinegro" is a sweet and very pleasant movie with a good and original story, but the conclusion is weak. Most of the characters are somehow prisoners: Jorge in his mediocre life; his father on the wheelchair; Antonio and Paula in jail; Israel with his dysfunctional family in his father's house. Natalia is her past relationship with Jorge. The lead character Jorge actually lives in a limbo, stuck in his guilty and inferiority complex with his father. This is the second great work that I see of the gorgeous actress Marta Etura, unfortunately unknown in Brazil. She is an excellent actress and I love to see her beauty and charm while acting. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Azul Escuro Quase Preto" ("Dark Blue Almost Black")