The Hidden Face (2011)

Awesome Movie

As Good As It Gets

It's a mild crowd pleaser for people who are exhausted by blockbusters.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

This Spanish/Colombian thriller takes its time to get going but it is one of those films which may be slow to start but really improves once you start to realise what has really been going on. Consequently, it is a film which makes you think it would be well worth watching it again but with the benefit of foreknowledge. The story revolves around a famous concert conductor whose girlfriend has gone missing. As police hover around him, he begins a new relationship with a cocktail waitress. This latter girl experiences some strange events in his house.It's nigh on impossible to discuss this film without revealing spoilers. Given that the central conceit involves the missing girlfriend discovering a secret room in the house when an ex-owner alerts her to it, a room which allows those within to observe and see but to remain in secret themselves. She enters it to test her boyfriend's loyalty by watching him but unfortunately accidentally locks herself in. It's actually a brilliant idea, as it allows the film to operate in several different ways. Firstly, it generates considerable suspense as we empathise easily with the woman caught in this trap. Secondly, it allows the film to open up like it is a ghost story with all the requisite unexplained spooky goings on. And thirdly, it works on a psychological level where, once the two women become aware of one and other, their actions have a self-preservation aspect which furthers the drama and intensifies the horror. The story in fact tells the story from three perspectives, the conductor and both of the women. In this way it allows the differing angles in which they see the situation to create their own dynamics. None of the characters ever fully know what the others are up to and these gaps in knowledge are used to great effect by the film-makers to create suspense and intrigue.

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.

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?

These Spaniards have proved more than once that they sure as hell know how to make a good movie. Once more, a movie of theirs turns out to be brilliant! The story starts abruptly but you get into it quite soon and with no problems. It contains more than one plot twists and it surely manages to keep you at the edge of your seat. Acting was brilliant on all sides involved and the setting, especially this amazing house was ideal. I am not going into any details about the plot or any spoiler of any kind, but I will say that this was the first movie after a long time that made me mad! For more than half an hour before the end, I was at the edge of my seat, rooting for my preferred ending, cursing and throwing stuff around each time something I did not like happened.I got into it completely, ignoring any rational thoughts (like, "chill dude, it's just a movie"). When a movie does that to you, then it's either a 9 or a 10, nothing less. This movie is a must-see of the few that exist out there. I loved the ending as well as the way in which it was reached... Just get your hands on it and watch it!