- Actors: María Galiana, Ana Fernández, Carlos Álvarez-Nóvoa, Antonio Dechent, Paco De Osca
- Directors: Benito Zambrano
- Writers: Benito Zambrano
- Producers: Antonio Pérez Pérez
- Classification: 15
- Studio: Artificial Eye
- VHS Release Date: 26 Dec 2001
- Run Time: 101 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005QG0N
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 37,435 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Lauded in its native Spain on its release, Benito Zambrano's Solas is a touching portrayal of loneliness and redemption. At its centre is the strained relationship between Maria and her mother Rosa, brought together by Maria's estranged father's illness. Rosa (brilliantly played by Maria Galiana) not only discovers a world very different from her village existence but also finds her daughter's life in disarray--racked with frustration, bitterness and fuelled by alcohol. As the film develops, the two find their relationship not only beginning to grow but also influenced by the arrival of their elderly neighbour, played by Carlos Álvarez Novoa. All three find a new purpose to their lives and, while students of feminism may find Maria's path a little debatable, Ana Fernádez brings the audience on her journey in heart touching fashion. The darkness of tone throughout only makes the subsequent brightness all the more blinding and the result is without doubt a deeply moving piece of cinema. --Phil Udell
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful
Format:VHS Tape
'Solas' manages to concoct an intoxicating mix of hard-hitting tenderness, that makes the positive finale all the more rewarding and the dark humour scattered through the film especially poignant. With no pretension or delusions of glamour whatsoever one is asked to join in the mundane lives of the protagonists - all of whom feel in some way alone and abandoned. 'Solas' explores their loneliness, anger, frustration and despair at very close quarters, the no-frills camerawork adding to the sense that one is somehow invading their intimacy
This is a very human and personal film that moves in a way many films aspire to but very few manage.
31 of 33 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
I'd agree wholeheartedly with the other reviewers of this film. It is dark, and in parts quite depressing. The ending is uplifting, the film makes it plain that even if opportunities lost cannot be recaptured, second best may be good enough and happiness can come in unexpected forms and from unexpected places.
One word of warning, the subtitling is pretty naff. The letters have no black background or edging, and are practically invisible in some scenes.
Even so, it's well worth watching.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
It's best to watch this film with no expectaions. I rented this from Amazon following their recommendation and checking out the reviews. Fortunately I'd forgotten them when I got around to watching this. I tried one night, watched a bit and realised that I wasn't in the mood. Sometimes you need to watch the first 20 mins of a film to get into it.
When I did watch Solas I struggled through most of it but was finally glad I did. It starts quite bleakly and there is an atmosphere of impending danger. Events unfold very s-l-o-w-l-y. Not very much happens, but you gradually learn about the characters and begin to root for them. There's quite a lot of rejection going on and the film is mostly about how they each respond to that. It's a low key affair that you need to be in the right mood to watch but perseverance brings a little hope.
Alone didn't make me cry, nor did I jump for joy at the end but the whole film was gently life-affirming. It's not preachy at all but shows what can happen when people reach out of themselves with dignity, care, forgiveness, hope and perseverance.
I agree that the subtitles are indistinct in places though the film is still well worth a watch.
When I did watch Solas I struggled through most of it but was finally glad I did. It starts quite bleakly and there is an atmosphere of impending danger. Events unfold very s-l-o-w-l-y. Not very much happens, but you gradually learn about the characters and begin to root for them. There's quite a lot of rejection going on and the film is mostly about how they each respond to that. It's a low key affair that you need to be in the right mood to watch but perseverance brings a little hope.
Alone didn't make me cry, nor did I jump for joy at the end but the whole film was gently life-affirming. It's not preachy at all but shows what can happen when people reach out of themselves with dignity, care, forgiveness, hope and perseverance.
I agree that the subtitles are indistinct in places though the film is still well worth a watch.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
captivating, disturbing yet heartwarming
I bought this film several years back and loved it, lost it, so bought again. Set in the city, the film confronts the issues of female suppression and the conflicts of outdated,... Read more
Published 3 months ago by juana
Atmospheric doesn't cover it
How these two amazingly drawn characters reach an endpoint is beyond me. You know that a family torn apart when a child moves on from the simple upbringing will drive a edge down... Read more
Published 3 months ago by M. A. Cadman
You don't need laughs to feel uplifted.
I expect if this film was British it would be a Loach or Leigh production full of misery and foul-mouthed northerners. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Philoctetes
Beautiful
If you are interested in Spanish films, you'll love this one! One of the best. Beautiful, well observed, quiet but powerful at the same time. You won't forget this film.
Published 12 months ago by Viv
lonley people
an initially depressing and mundane film gradually shows how a lonely 35-ish female copes with a stay by her gentle, non street wise mother, whilst her bad-tempered father is ill... Read more
Published on 7 May 2010 by Juanita
fantastic film!! a must see!!!!!!
great film, sad but true to lonley city life and dysfunctional families in all countries.......
has a nice ending... i cried my eyes out as the old man is so SWEET.......
has a nice ending... i cried my eyes out as the old man is so SWEET.......
Published on 6 Mar 2010 by maria salsera
Real People, real life
I was really impressed with this film, Benito Zambrano's main one to date and thought the acting and direction made it very plausible and reflective of true to life experiences,... Read more
Published on 29 May 2006 by duirsgrove
A truly superb, humanist picture
I had the good fortune of stumbling upon 'Solas' at the annual Spanish Film Festival in Cape Town last year (2001) without ever having heard of the movie or the stars or the... Read more
Published on 13 Feb 2002
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