The Distance

Colour, 35 mm
Spain, 2006, 111 min
Section: Variety Critics’ Choice

Synopsis

Inaki Dorronsoro’s punchy The Distance is the latest in a sudden spate of pugilistically inclined movies from Spain – and serves as further evidence that the country can now deliver a decent thriller. Pic is a polished, well-plotted noir item that provides all the thrills… Miguel Angel Silvestre, who did daily six-hour workouts to craft his body for the role, is up to scratch as a young man in the grip of forces he doesn’t understand. Jose Coronado plays a darkly tormented and complex figure whose internal conflicts manifest themselves in awful violence. Coronado’s searching, driven perf brings out all this and more.