Tockinit
not horrible nor great
Matialth
Good concept, poorly executed.
Pacionsbo
Absolutely Fantastic
Breakinger
A Brilliant Conflict
DeuceWild_77
Probably, the major success of "Tesis" ('96) directed by Alejando Aménabar, started the Spanish engine of producing exquisite & intriguing thrillers, and the majority of them were so well-crafted that nowadays we can say for sure that Spain surpassed Hollywood which became predictable and out of ideas and even the remakes from foreign films are terrible."La Cara Oculta" (english titled "The Hidden Face") is a suspenseful Spanish / Colombian co-production full of thrills & chills, presenting the inevitable (but, very creative & well-staged) plot twist that grabs the viewer in a way which reminds a lot the work of Master Alfred Hitchcock and, posteriorly, his more devoted filmmaker, Brian De Palma.Colombian film director and writer, Andrés Baiz, knows how to project an eerie sensation to this piece of work, to have a great notion of pace and how the suspense works and the story goes in a crescendo to the final revealing, which is shocking and unexpected. The cinematography is splendid and au pair with Hollywood produced films: peculiar choice of camera angles and nicely staged sequences directed with style, that make us wonder how a movie can look so good without the production values provided by a big studio.About the cast, it's hard to believe that a bland looking guy with boring personality on-screen such as Quim Gutierrez can score with the three main actresses in the film: Martina García, Clara Lago and Marcela Mar, but after all it's only a movie and his Maestro character is rich and famous, so we can accept that. Had the wooden leading actor being replaced, the movie could have been even better, because the way he played the character as being a self centered, arrogant & pompous kind of nerd didn't help it either...In short, never mind the slow start (that will remind you a lot of "What Lies Beneath", itself a Robert Zemeckis' homage to Hitchcock's works), but please give this movie a chance, because the second half it's a surprisingly engaging and gripping experience not to be missed !!
Moshe Ben Ami
This, along with Saw, a Tale of Two Sisters, and other insane psychological thrillers, is a diamond in the rough.When I first heard of this movie, I thought it's just another romantic thriller. The summary of the movie also doesn't hint a 1/10th of what is going to happen after the first half of the movie.Goosebumps, amazement, shock, awe, and even tears almost dropped me out of the blue.I don't want to spoil too much. If you ever liked good psychological thrillers like a Tale of Two Sisters, Saw, and others, you are in for a treat.The movie begins like the plot suggests, and if you pay attention to details for the first half, you will understand later why these details are being focused. It's a regular rich guy who gets dumped by his girlfriend and finds another one. The way it leads you to the second half is excellent, because you are never bored during the first half. It's romance, drama, and love. Who doesn't like that?The only reason I didn't give it a 10 was because there was a part on the second half that was a bit too obvious that was going to happen, but then again, I am a psychological thriller fan so I kind of know when things are too obvious in these movies. Nevertheless, the idea behind the entire plot is chilling.Highly recommended.
Paulo_Clemente
Adrian is a maestro and is chosen to go to Columbia in work, his fiancé Belén goes with him, and suddenly she disappears leaving a goodbye video. You are always in suspense with comes next, is he the bad guy, or is she? Then in the story comes Fabiana a nice waitress who falls for Adrian also, and she's a nice girl, well is she?Good acting, good story, great twist , good filming giving us two sides of the story , and the camera really show us both sides.I enjoy watching this movie, if you have a chance you have to see it, if you like a good thriller there no chance you will be disappointed on this one. Intense, emotional and testing how far will you go for love. And is it worth it on the end?
Nigel P
If hell hath no fury like a woman scorned, then what happens when two women become the victims? This is either a horror film, a thriller, or the blackest of black comedies – and one that is impossible to discuss without a SPOILER warning. This film is much better watched if you don't know anything about it – equally, the trailer is better avoided too.Flirty maestro, conductor Adrián (Quim Gutierrez) is first seen in a state of great personal trauma when attractive waitress Fabiana (Martina Garcia) helps him find happiness again. Adrian's previous girlfriend has gone missing, and it is possible Adrian has murdered her. Meanwhile, Fabiana moves in to his magnificent rented home, owned by a German lady. Pretty soon, Fabiana hears strange sounds in the house and believes it to be haunted.Then, in flashback, we are told of his previous girlfriend Belén (Clara Lago), who suspects (rightly) that Adrian is having an affair with Veronica, a member of his orchestra. The German owner of the house lets her into a secret: the house has an undisclosed, sound-proofed room behind the bathroom mirror. The secret room was built in case her Nazi husband needed to hide during the war. To teach Adrian a lesson, and to see if he really does have another woman, Belen hurriedly decides to hide in this room and watch his activities through the one-way mirrors. In her rush, she leaves the key in the bedroom, and so is trapped, with no way of letting anyone know of her predicament.Seeing Belen having to watch Adrian grieve for her, and then take another girlfriend is dark humour indeed. Slowly, Fabiana realises what is happening but decides to leave Belen trapped – she doesn't want a rival. It is only when Fabiana suspects Adrian of having an affair (again with Veronica, which – ironically – he has ended by this time) does she open the secret room. Belen is waiting, and has a vicious revenge in mind
However this film is categorised, it is beautifully paced and written. It begins slowly – perhaps too slowly, but builds in interest. The acting is top-notch throughout – both Belen and Fabiana are both occasionally (and intentionally) irritating, which makes their slightly irrational actions so believable, whereas Fabiana, although flawed, is caught unknowingly between the machinations of them both.