La casa

I watched this film during the Shanghai international film festival. I felt like it was a movie close to real life, there are memories flashed back when seeing the old stuff. I noticed some audience nearby were weeping, they must thinking about their family.

And It did remind me of the old days when my grandfather still in his apartment. I love the scene that Ema playing the music in the rainy day. Her smile is so pure.

But the movie seems have an unfinished ending, I am wondering it was the purpose from the director. As Jose staring at the mirror, I may thinking that he would eventually convinced his brother and sister to keep this house.

I'd like to explain why I rated this movie 5 out of 10. I'm sure it holds deeper meaning for native Spanish-speaking audiences, especially due to its sentimental dialogues. However, since I don't speak Spanish, I focused mostly on the storyline.

The movie attempts to paint a portrait of a family and explore the internal issues among its members, while also highlighting the strength of love that binds them. Death is the central theme, reminding us that one day we all have to face it. The film subtly encourages us to spend more time with our loved ones.

La Casa is a movie you can watch with your family. However, despite its well-known cast and their impressive performances, it doesn't elevate itself artistically.

There's something missing in the flow of the story. The funny moments aren't quite funny, and the emotional scenes don't fully connect. Flashbacks to the past don't blend smoothly with the present-day storytelling; they feel disconnected, almost like scenes from a different movie.

This happens sometimes. A director might blend elements in a way that reflects their personal vision, but that vision doesn't always align with the audience's perspective. It's clear the director loved this story and wanted to share a family tale from rural Spain with the same emotional weight he felt. I respect that effort, but the result turned out a bit differently than he might have expected.

After the death of their father Antonio (Luís Callejo) , his three grown children Jose (David Verdaguer), Vicente (Óscar de la Fuente) and Carla (Lorena López) and their families gather together at his modest vacation home to prepare it for sale. During their short stay, long-buried memories and secrets rise to the surface.

An acceptable film, developed with intelligence and sensitivity enough. It has a decent story dealing with memories of the past and the decision-making of important situations that can compromise a family. The winner of a Goya for best actor in 2024, David Verdaguer, heads the cast of this bright, moving and bittersweet flick, this film talks about family, inheritance and the unfailing passage of time. Thus, the three brothers, for a few days, will try to reconcile their present to reconcile with their past. This pleasant film "La Casa", based on the successful graphic novel of the same name by Paco Roca results to be an agreeable story but it is weighed down by a minimal and not very transcendental plot, and that's why the story focuses heavily on the simple decision of what to do with a country house, as well as the simple memories of the deceased and good father of the family finely performed by Luis Callejo. Along with the always excellent David Verdaguer, there are good secondaries giving notables interpretations, such as: Óscar de la Fuente, Olivia Molina , María Romanillos, Lorena López, Marta Belenguer, Jordi Aguilar and special metion for already veteterans: Luís Callejo , Miguel Rellán and the author of the graphic novel this movie is based on, Paco Roca, makes a cameo appearence in one of the flashback scenes, he is the man who doesn't know what to do with the paper at the doctor's waiting room.

There's an evocative and naturalist cinematography by Guillem Oliver. As well as enjoyable musical score by Fernando Velazquez. Adding some catching songs, such as: ¨Lovers in Central Park¨written by Jean-Michel Vallet, Patrick Chartol, Claire Guillot, and Daniel Finot; ¨The Law¨ written by Jean-Michel Vallet; ¨Orzowei¨written by Maurizio De Angelis & Guido De Angelis performed by Enrique y Ana; ¨Uirapuru¨ written by Aloise Felippe Morales De Melo; ¨Parabens pra voce¨ written by Aloise Felippe Morales de Melo and Nicolás Sánchez Aguilar; ¨El tren huracán (Live Vistalegre)¨performed by La Raíz; ¨Oye mamá, oye papᨠwritten by Manuel Alejandro performed by Jeanette.

The film won the award for best script and best music and the public award at the Malaga festival and was nominated for two Goya awards (supporting actor and adapted script) in 2025. The motion picture was well written/directed by Álex Montoya. This is his third film , he previouly made Asamblea (2019) and Lucas (2021) and various Shorts. And he is also an occasional producer, so he produced the successful Stockholm (2013) directed by Rodrigo Sorogoyen. Rating: 6/10. A good film, but not for everyone, but rather for those who like calm, quiet films made to make you think.