It is one of the best films I've watched in quite some time. The review by johannes2000-1 is spot on, far better than I could ever critique it. This is, without doubt, one of those extremely rare 10/10 films, I loved everything about it (the opening had me wondering, but it's the only weak part of the entire film). I was not prepared for the constant flow of intrigue, serenity, excitement, sorrow, joy, & humour that it flawlessly wove throughout the story. It's one of those that will stay with me for a very long time.
For any of you who watch foreign language films dubbed, stop! The acting by those dubbing is always terrible & ruins an often great film. If you know how to read, do it - you will hear the actors voices saying the words you read, & you can get a clear sense of their acting & portrayal of the character and the scene.
Keywords: coming of age
Plot summary
Summer 1985. As with every year, Rodri (Adrián Baena) leaves Catalonia and returns to his parents' Galician town to reunite with his gang. However, this year will be different for him and his friends. The real world problems begin appearing in their lives, threatening to drift the group apart. Clinging onto the friendship that joins them, the five friends plan to run away on Saint John's Eve night to search for a magical flower that, as per legend, grows up high a mountain and can make wishes come true. Because right now, their only wish is to solve their distressed friend's issue and, thus, remain together. An adventure that will make them grow through a fascinating tale full of action, emotion and hope, in a summer that permanently will keep in their memories.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
Director
Top cast
Tech specs
720p.WEB 1080p.WEBMovie Reviews
An Extremely Rare 10/10
Excellent coming-of-age movie, a real must-see!
What a wonderful movie this is! You could say it's Ron Reiner's quintessential coming-of-age story "Stand by me" (1986) all over again, but here with its own, specifically Spanish approach.
Somewhere around the eighties five close teenage friends go on a hiking trip on their bikes, with a vague purpose to find a supposed magic flower on some mountain-top, that when picked on mid-summers day should cure all diseases. They cycle through the countryside, make fun, bicker, get into mischief, have furious encounters with a group of vengeful thugs, somewhere along the line even stumble over a little baby that they take along, and at last they reach their goal, in the process acquiring some important new insights in each other and in themselves.
The direction of Dani de la Torre is excellent, there is plenty of room for reflection, but still the pace never sags, every member of the little group gets his own background and attention, and although there are some pretty serious issues at hand (one of the kids is being treated for cancer, another one's father lies in coma in a hospital),and there are some very moving scenes (the one in the hospital actually moved me to tears!),the story never strives for cheap effect or gets melodramatic. The end leaves us guessing if the magic flower has worked, and that fits the story fine, it's life, that for the kids stays totally open for anything (good or bad) to happen.
The eighties are flawlessly rendered, the summer atmosphere is almost tangible, the photography is absolutely stunning, with breathtaking views of the Galician landscape, and I was amazed and very impressed at how natural and easy these five young kids played their at times pretty difficult parts!
In short, a definite must-see and an absolute 10 out of 10!!
Very nice scenery
A bit boring but the filming locations are epic A feel good movie that's great for the family.
No mobile phones just nature and decent music.
Brings me back to my childhood.