Living It Up (2000)

That was an excellent one.

A Masterpiece!

There is, somehow, an interesting story here, as well as some good acting. There are also some good scenes

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

¨La Gran Vida¨or ¨Living It Up¨ is a nice and nutty comedy well starred by Carmelo Gomez and Salma Hayek . This entertaining film packs amusement , slapstick , hilarious incidents , tongue-in-cheek , surrealist comedy including conventional pitfalls and many other things . It tells the story of a bus driver called Martin (Carmelo Gomez)on edge a nervous breakdown , when suddenly a strange man called Salva (Fernando or Chato Valverde) offers him some friendly advice , borrow 100 million pesetas from the Mafia and do everything he has ever dreamed of before ending his life , such as to blow on a final round of merrymaking before committing suicide , throwing on a famous bridge in Madrid . While spending the money he falls in love with Mexican waitress named Lola (Salma Hayek) and realizes now he has something to live for . The only problem is that now he has to find a way to pay back the 1 million he owes to the loan sharks . At the end he has to deal with dangerous hoodlums , but having spent the cash he is pursued by the Mafia , taking place fun situations . This is a slightly funny film with entertaining events , giggles , emotion , twists and a romantic love story ; being originally written by the prestigious screen-writer and filmmaker Fernando Leo De Aranoa . The film moves in fits and starts most of which would be desirable , with more traps the viewer resists any kind, and some moments of enjoyment and others quite a few ridiculous . It is a special Spanish comedy from the 2000s with the usual ingredients such as wild humor topped with a little bit of original touches here and there and the tone of the film is light-hearted . It's an agreeable , moving film , perfectly acted and concerning the narration about the relationship among a botcher driver , a Mexican waitress , a peculiar adviser and Mafia . This is a typical Spanish comedy from the 2000s with the customary ingredients such as silly humor , embarrassing events and close relationships among people , including an enjoyable romance. It turns out to be pleasantly fun that offers no intellectual stimulus whatsoever ; an exercise in pure amusement in which entertainment and fun are guaranteed . The characters are quite odd , grotesque and weird and the film races on at incredible speed . Sitting in a strange middle ground between the completely absurd and the stylishly cool . Nice acting Carmelo Gomez as a bus driver who when is on the verge of committing suicide borrows 100 million pesetas , and falls for a Mexican waitress finely performed by Salma Hayek and finds he has something to live for . Special mention to Fernando ¨Chato¨ Valverde as a rare adviser called Salva . Fine support cast such as Eusebio Lazaro , Carlos Bardem , Carlos Kaniowsky , Miguel Ayones , Alicia Agut , Txema Blasco , Pilar López De Ayala and special appearance by the great Paul Naschy or Jacinto Molina . On the surface, ¨La Gran Vida¨ doesn't get much wrong , it looks okay , the comedy misunderstandings pile up in a reasonably amusing fashion and the performance is acceptable . My feelings are extremely mixed but I must admit there are things I haven't been able to stop laughing about ; but also has the usual ups and downs .Including a spotless pictorial as well as colorful cinematography by Nestor Calvo (Atomica , Lobo , Nos Miran , Lobos De Washington , Años Barbaros , Miguel and William) , showing splendidly luxurious places such as Hotels , luxury restaurants and glamorous mansions from Madrid . Lively and catching musical score by Manuel Villalta (El Palo , Planta 4, Oro De Moscu , Nada En Nevera ,El Forastero) . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Antonio Cuadri who was born in Huelva (Andalucia) location where he shot his main and big-budgeted film titled ¨The heart of the earth¨ with an international cast . Cuadri is a fine craftsman with some hit , such as this ¨La Gran Vida¨ , ¨Eres Mi Heroe¨ and previously made a documentary titled ¨Riotinto (2004)¨. Nowadays , he only directs TV episodes (Cuentame, Manolito Gafotas , UCO , Todos Hombres Sois Iguales , Al Salir De Clase , among them).

Imagine the dreary life of Martin, a bus driver in Madrid. His job has gotten the best of him, as well as his bored colleagues, but only Martin wants to do something to remedy the situation. When one night he climbs atop a viaduct over a busy intersection, a passerby, Salva, convinces him not to jump. After all, what would he accomplish? Instead, Salva has a different plan for Martin. Why not 'borrow' money from the local mafia. He can have millions with just the promise that he will repay at a high rate. For that, he must go into a clinic, where an old lady, lying on what appears to be her death bed, will decide whether to approve the loan, or not. At the end of the term, the mafia will "take care of him" when he can't come up with the money he owes.The new riches brings Martin to a life of luxury. He doesn't care how he spends his money. When he decides to throw a party, he goes all out. A young waitress, Lola, who is let go because of her inefficiency, catches Martin's eye. They begin a whirlwind tour of the fine places in Europe, and Madrid. Lola, it seems, has her own agenda about what to do with Martin's money."Living it Up", this Spanish comedy, has a glossy surface given by its director, Antonio Caudri. What doesn't make much sense is the screen play by Carlos Asorey and Fernando Leon Aranoa, a director, himself. We don't buy for a moment that even the criminal element would consider Martin worthy of a loan they are not to get repaid. Of course, we realize that Salva, is the key figure in the larger scheme of things, and we go along for the fun. The explanation as to why Martin was selected, makes no sense at all! And Lola's role in the whole thing is false from beginning to end.The film tried to capitalize having attracted Salma Hayek for the role of Lola. We don't recall this film being released commercially in this country, maybe in some markets, but no big distribution. Ms. Hayek's charm doesn't work miracles for her character, but she is a pleasant presence in the film. Carmelo Gomez, one of Spain's leading actors, has good moments. Best of all is Fernando Valverde who is seen as Salva.The film is mildly amusing, but it doesn't make much sense.

I don't know what to say about this movie. In the end I was confused. There are so many very good moments, and yet so many very bad ones, that I don't even know if I liked it or not.The idea is very good. A poor bus driver on the verge of killing himself is persuaded by another person to "postpone" his death for a week, borrow 100 million dollars from the Mob and live like the rich men. And after the week is up, when he'll have to pay back the loaned money, he can easily kill himself. That's the concept. You have to admit, it's pretty damn interesting. But from this point everything changes.Sometimes the characters are very interesting. Both the bus driver and his new love are okay, well built, you get to care from them a lot. They have strong life concepts, opinions about the rich and the poor, and they follow these concepts. But... Sometimes the characters change so much and so fast... it almost becomes awful. Both Lola and Martin are different from one scene to another. And if in Lola's case that's pretty understandable, after you "really" get to know who she is, in Martin's case it's just wrong. Sometimes the action is great. Memorable scenes, funny moments, witty dialog. A great, pleasant watch. But... Sometimes the plot holes are bigger then Swiss cheese. There are moments where the characters choose exactly the worst option they have, just because they need to, to keep the plot moving forward. And one of the most interesting themes that could have been used is totally left out: the moments BEFORE Martin's time expires. The scenes could have been great, the tension could have been high. Still we jump exactly to 12:01, and I just felt a bit betrayed. Sometimes the actors are great. The guy that plays Martin (which i have never seen before) is very good. Salma Hayek is at her best. They have some sort of weird chemistry between them and everything works fine. But... Sometimes the acting is almost pathetic. Take the "first kiss" scene, for instance. When Salma says "Not today". It was so ridiculously acted, that I actually started laughing out loud. And that's not the only moment. All in all, La Gran Vida is an enjoyable movie. An enjoyable movie with pathetic, stupid moments. A great concept that could have been done so much better. Vote: 5 out of 10.

I came across La Gran vida at a friend's place, when I was asking him to suggest a movie for me. I am glad he recommended this. This is like a breath of fresh air! It is a light movie, about how desperate life can become, or... how interesting it can be. It all depends on how much money you have as the movie suggests. So Carmelo Gómez (Martin), a bus driver with not much of a life figures out that its not worth it ... Suicide is the answer. But as he attempts to commit suicide, some guy tries to make him change his decision, with a very tempting question: How about Living for one week with 100 million dollars in your hands then die after that? -- Now that is an interesting offer for sure. He will take 100 million dollars, but he must return them as 150 after one week, or else he gets killed, well he is about to commit suicide so why not delay it for a week? And so ... we join the ride, one poor man's 7 day journey with excessive wealth! Salma Hayek (Lola), looking better than ever, is very convincing in her role. Don't look for a great script with twists, look for a warm and interesting story! Avoid some draw backs from the writers and you will enjoy this. Enjoy Carmelo Gómez's acting, very good! It doesn't demand much, so don't ask for a lot! 7/10