By Liz Lopez
Rating: B+
This Spanish language feature film from Spain peeked my interest from the initial description I read, however, I was not prepared for all the levels of drama that happen between the two main characters, David (David Pareja) and Javi (Javier Botet). They have been lifelong friends, or so it appears from the photos in the room of the older home in a remote village where David has taken Javi to recuperate from the accident that has left him weak and extensively paralyzed. The viewer does not see any scenes of the accident but viewing the scars from the injuries all over Javi’s super thin physique is enough to speak volumes. What is not said out loud for quite a while is that Javi’s wife died and yet David appears to have walked away with absolutely no hint of being hurt in any way. David soon finds out caregiving is much more than what he bargained for.
Javier Botet (“It” and “It Chapter 2,” “Insidious The Last Key”) is an amazing actor in this film where he is either in a wheelchair or on the bed with little to no movement. He is rail thin and yet he speaks with his eyes. David Pareja shows him love and compassion, but only to a certain point when he runs out of his daily medication and they become snowbound. A different side of David appears as he keeps seeing a bump on his forehead and he decides what he thinks is best for Javi in the long run.
I applaud the two actors for their talent in co-writing the screenplay along with the director, Oscar Martin. This film played at the Sitges – Catalonian International Film Festival (2019) and was nominated for Best Motion Picture in the Official Fantàstic Competition and have no doubt it can continue to garner more attention and recognition among audiences.
These creative filmmakers are certainly some to watch and with this feature out into the world, hopefully they are working on more productions to show their vast array of skills.
The cinematography for “Amigo” is by Alberto Morago and he is also to be commended for his talent for both the close – up shots, as well as the panoramic to capture the different seasons, not just in nature, but with these two men.
You can be friends for a long time and then, the friendship just may not work for one or the other. How far would you go for a friend?
Source: Fantastic Fest, IMDb