Review of El Bola (2000) by Ld P — 26 Apr 2010
El Bola (English: Pellet) is a 2000 Spanish film, directed by Achero Mañas. It won Mejor Película (best film) Goya Award in 2001 Cruelty and child abuse are the grim themes of this worthwhile drama set in Madrid.
Pablo (Juan Jose Ballesta) is a silent and withdrawn 12-year-old who has the nickname El Bola or The Pellet, on account of the ballbearing he keeps rolling in his hand. He hangs with tearaways who play a suicidally dangerous game of chicken by the railway tracks.
But a level-headed new friend, Alfredo (Pablo Galan), takes him to meet his family: a loving, close-knit group who make El Bola realise all families aren't like his own - terrified people cowed by his brutal father Mariano (Manuel Moron).
Alfredo's father Jose is played by Alberto Jimenez - an intelligent, focused performance that reminded me of the excellent British actor Mark Strong. Director Achero Manas's work is clearly derived from Loach, but with a fierce and concerted sincerity of its own.
Dealing with issues of domestic violence, "El Bola" teases a truly remarkable performance from its lead actor, twelve-year-old Juan José Ballesta, who plays this street urchin in equal parts tough and vulnerable.
A fractured victim of more past traumas than Mañas actually lets us see, he's old beyond his years. By capturing the fledgling machismo of these kids (pinching cigarettes, flicking through porn magazines, playing suicidal games on the train tracks), Mañas brings us right into the heart of this story's focus on masculinity and violence, mapping out the tragedy of El Bola's family situation with a precision that promises an inevitable ending.
Good Movie A little on the depressing side . three 1/2 stars almost four.
This review of El Bola (2000) was written by Ld P on 26 Apr 2010.
El Bola has generally received very positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
