Incannerax What a waste of my time!!!

Grimossfer Clever and entertaining enough to recommend even to members of the 1%

Usamah Harvey The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

Wyatt There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

tmdarosa El Bola is a dramatic film directed by Acero Mañas, that tells the story of a twelve year old boy named El Bola, who is raised in a violent and unforgiving environment. This movie was released in New York City, on December 13, 2002 and is considered one of Acero Mañas' best films to date. As a result of Mañas' success, his movie won four Goya Awards that includes best film, best emerging director, best original screenplay, and best emerging actor. After watching this amazing film, there is no question as to why this film received so many awards and has become a favorite for many viewers. Pablo a.k.a. "El Bola" is a twelve-year-old boy who suffers abuse from his father. The reason he is called El Bola is because he carries a gold ball-bearing in his pocket for luck. However, due to his unfortunate circumstances it is possible that his ball-bearing actually represents stability and some protection given that he lives in a very vicious household. His violent family situation prevents him from having friends at school until the a new kid, Alfredo, arrives at his school. The warm, caring atmosphere in Alfredo's family juxtaposes Pablo's oppressive situation under his father. With the help of Alfredo, Pablo finds a different reality in his new friend's family who teaches him to confront with courage his worst fears.One of the key themes that this movie expresses is the breaking of the traditional family stereotypes. Many people believe that maintaining a traditional family is the correct way to live. However, I think that this movie opposes this idea. For example, in the movie there are two different families that live two completely different lifestyles. Pablo's family, although on the outside appears very traditional and normal, is actually filled with violence and hostility. Technically, Pablo's family does fit within the typical roles of a traditional family, that atmosphere and the relationships are very dysfunctional, but mostly violent. This family contrasts Alfredo's family, who most people would believe is more of the problematic family due to their carefree lifestyle and more rebellious appearance. Alfredo's father, José, is a tattoo artist and has many tattoos himself, along with his wife and Alfredo. The family is not religious and is very accepting with homosexuality, considering many of their friends are gay. However, as the film continues many family scenes show that they are more healthy, educational and possess a better family relationship than Pablo's family.

allie203 Very simple movie, but so powerful, the type of movie you won't find in the theater near you,a little hidden treasure. Excellent cast and performances. A lesson in life growing up, of friendship, despair and hope. You do not want the movie to end, to me its a sign of something special. I see the game they are playing on the train tracks as a dare, but also a death wish, even as children they are playing a game that are similar to their way of life, comes the newcomer who has a normal upbringing and find the game stupid and refused to play it,shows the difference between the children depicted in the story, one raised by loving parents, the others living their life with no structure, no love, having to fight their own battles.

ic_icey Well, after watching this movie, i felt that this one would be my favorite for a long time. Now three years later nothing about that has changed. Let's check how El Bola's life has been changed...I've also seen movies like "boys of st Vincent" and "song for a raggy boy", but this movie about child abuse is just different. The movies i mentioned have great (young)actors too, but this movie make you realize that this might be your neighbour boy's story. If you start watching the movie, you feel that something's wrong with El Bola ("Pellet") but you just don't know what. And i guess that's one of the strengths of this movie: it's not only told in a natural way, but it's rather suggestive. And a lot of people are disappointed that the movie's just cut after 88 minutes without a proper ending, but i think that's the way it goes in real life too : a life/story is like a roller coaster: it has it ups and downs, but the only thing that matters is where it endsBut this movie wouldn't be the same without the strong soundtrack (highly recommended) and it's young cast. El Bola is played by Juan José Ballesta (my favorite young actor) who also appears in the interesting and touching "planta 4a". He has also a very small role in a movie a mentioned before : "song for a raggy boy" (as the young friend of the teacher in the flash backs)

vanessapeeters This film breaks no new ground and yet it is a very worthy example of a kind of cinema that very slightly fictionalizes a subject so that something like child abuse can be explored without it seeming like an out and out docudrama. But that's essentially what it is. Here, the filmmaker unfortunately shines no real light on the subject of child abuse; other than to say--its bad. Yet, there are some very fine subtle performances. On display are adult sensibilities. Things are not oversentimentalized.