First Hit: A sad story and beautifully acted.
Everyone in this film is superb.
This Spanish film is dark, engaging, asks deep questions and is wonderfully acted. Uxbal (played by Javier Bardem) is a hustler. He assists illegally resident Africans sell illegally produced purses and DVDs on the streets of Barcelona. He learns he only has months to live because of cancer.
He has custody for his two young children Ana and Meteo (played by Hanaa Bouchaib and Guillermo Estrella respectively), his former wife Maramba (played by Maricel Alvarez) is a part-time whore, and he accidently has a hand in killing 20+ Chinese workers. He also makes some side money by listening to dead people who are struggling to leave this life. By listening to them he passes information on to their family.
He is looking for redemption for his life. He has a heart which shows up with the compassion he has for his children and for some of the people who work with him. He does what he can to give his children a home and support as he begins to fade from life.
However, it appears that what he did in life catches up to him, and as he dies we know his children will have a difficult life, the kind he had.
Bardem is amazingly wonderful in this role. He compassion and deal making are equally transparent. Alvarez is amazingly wild and free flowing in her role as an unstable former wife. Bouchaib was excellent as the 10 year old daughter. Estrella is wonderful as the son. Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu wrote and directed this very fine film.
Overall: This isn’t a feel good film but this is an outstanding film telling a very good story in a creative way.