Siete mesas de billar francés

This film is directed by Gracia Querejeta, a terrific Spanish female director who also directed films such as CUANDO VUELVAS A MI LADO o HÉCTOR. It was on the official section of San Sebastian Film Festival where it received great reviews, especially for the two lead actresses, Maribel Verdú and Blanca Portillo. The last won the prize for best actress. It was kind of strange because everybody was expecting Maribel Verdú to win, but finally her co-star was the awarded one. I think that both actresses should had won ex-aequo.

The film is about Ángela (Maribel Verdú) and Charo (Blanca Portillo) two women who struggles to survive after a relative passed away. That man was Ángela's father and was Charo's de facto husband. I'm not going to explain all the film, but I have to say that is a wonderful tale where we can see how two person with nothing in common(only the man who passed away) help each other although they have their differences. It's about woman's great sense of companionship in rough situations.

Superb performances by all the cast, especially Maribel Verdú, Blanca Portillo, Victor Valdivia as Ángela's little son, Jesús Castejón as Charo's love interest and Lorena Vindel as a south American young girl who worked for Angela's father and help her with the new bar. Terrific script by Gracia Querejeta and David Planell, that was awarded on San Sebastian Film Festival too.

I have to mention the end of the film. It's a perfect ending, simply perfect.It couldn't have finished of another way.

**** 1/2 out of *****