The Hanged Man (2008) User Reviews

Clara Sizzles!

[armagecko · 7/10 · 15 November 2020]

Based on the novel of the same name by Imma Turbau, El Juego del Ahorcado is written like many Euro thrillers, as a cinematic opera with strong characters having wildly passionate affairs & often making irrational choices - some of which test the viewer's suspension of disbelief.

Also like many Euro thrillers - such as Clara Lago's prior film, La Vida Que te Espera (My Next Life) - this film centers around an accidental murder for which the lead characters improbably fear they will be imprisoned. Perhaps the prosecution of victims is a rampant reality in Europe, but to many in the rest of the civilized world, this will play as simply a tired & worn plot device. Similarly, the personal object that pivots the relationship between the main characters is rather silly. Any 17-year old who could construct an elaborate lie to cover a murder, could easily construct a simple one to cover for the appearance of this object. Again, you've seen this before from Puccini & Mozart and you'll need to play along a bit.

However, the acting in the film is SUPERB. Clara Lago & Alvaro Cervantes are beautiful on screen, and they are completely believable as a teenage couple. Both get a turn to reveal their transformative dramatic skills (and skin.) Even 8-year old child actors Nacho Fernandez & Carlota Morien perform their own stunts. Likewise, Pereira's adept direction and keen cinematography from the legendary Juan Amoros (R.I.P.) are impressive, and the score by Bingen Mendizabal conjures a textured Hitchcockian vibe.

Why El Juego del Ahorcado has not received an American release (or at least streaming distribution) is a bit of a mystery. Even more of a mystery is why Clara Lago has not become an international superstar rivaling the popularity of Penelope Cruz. She should fire her agent immediatamente.

This relatively obscure film is difficult to find even on Region 2 DVD, but well-worth the effort for fans of Euro thriller. For fans of Clara Lago, Alvaro Cervantes, or Manuel Gomez Pereira, it is required viewing.

Sad and some depressing film about a crazy romance , including intense drama , strong love scenes , emotion and violence

[ma-cortes · 6/10 · 20 November 2019]

The film starts in Gerona 1980 , there two kiddies called Sandra and David begin a long friendship out of the ordinary . Some years later , Gerona 1989 , sixteen-year-old Sandra (Clara Lago ) and eighten-year-old David (Alvaro Cervantes) go on being adolescent friends and companions of confidences and adventures since their infancy , in which the innocence and cruelty of the children years , happened long time ago , to follow an existence with violence , and brutallity of the adults . As in their adolescence taking place a passionate sentimental initiation altering the course of their student lives . But a terrible event takes place that will leave them marked forever . Finally , Sandra and Alvaro falling in love desperately and subsequently there occurs some missings and killings . Along the way and years , they maintain their love and secrets as authentic accomplices . Meanwhile , Sandra is trying to learn English along with her lovely teacher (Mary Murray) and attempts go to UK to finish her studies , and she , finally , goes Dublin . Shortly after, their lives push to cross the threshold of a dark secret , finding out the only thing that he has never told her.

Enjoyable but downbeat drama/thriller far from ordinary , concerning a sexual obsession in which a childhood couple and once have reached adolescence suffering twisted happenings , it seems logical that their friendship leads to a deeper relationship , but things go awry . It is plenty of moving drama , nudism , emotion , rough sex , thrills , mayhem and surprise ending . This ¨El Juego del Ahorcado¨ or ¨Hanged game¨ is Manuel Gomez Pereira's return to top form , with an intelligent and engaging script which uses moving situations to give us a good movie in a high suspense and complexity and that kept you entertained for the almost two hours of duration . Regarding the complex relationship of a couple through several years , as Sandra is seriously affected by an offense , as an unpredictable event cruelly hits each one separately , then , she will become a survivor and he , the protector of her life and secrets . Flawless story with a duo of handsome protagonists , one couple of very young actors . Interesting screenplay from prestigious Spanish screen-writers : Salvador García Ruiz and Manuel Gómez Pereira himself , based on a novel written by Imma Turbau . The flick develops a lot of steamy affairs between two main roles involved into an embarrassing and disconcerting relationship . Rightly agreeable , milestone drama/thriller which neatly combines nail-biting set pieces , love scenes , entertaining situations and tension . You can find a little flaws in the story lines , there are some left unexplained and others characters end up being implausible . Nice acting by Clara Lago as the innocent and good teenager , in spite of youthful , she parades sexily at her best and more relaxed and enticing than ever . However , Alvaro Cervantes gives a worse performance than her , playing a doubtful youngster who is obsessed for Sandra and for speed and motorcycles , too . Pay attention the very well played support cast , giving portentous interpretations , as usual . Including an acceptable plethora of secondaries , such as : Adriana Ugarte , Abel Folk , Victoria Page , Mary Murray and Cristina Brondo.

It was entertaining , but briefly depressing , great actors and a super soundtrack composed by Bingen Mendizabal . Bingen composes an excellent score in intriguing and suspenseful style . And adding the following songs : Born to be wild performed by Steppenwolf ; Soy como dos , Written by Álvaro Urquijo and Enrique Urquijo performed by Los Secretos ; A quién le importa Written by Carlos García Berlanga and Nacho Canut performed by Alaska y Dinarama and Desolado performed by Pastora . Furthermore , a colorful and evocative cinematography by Juan Amoros . The motion picture was well written and directed by Manuel Gomez Pereira . The movie had Goya Nominations , such as : Goya Awards 2009 Nomine Best New Actor : Álvaro Cervantes and Best Original Score : Bingen Mendizabal . Gómez Pereira usually writes his films and occasionally for other directors as "What Makes Women Laugh?" by Joaquin Oristell who in "Love Can Seriously Damage Your Health" is screenwriter and producer ; both of them are ordinary collaborators . Pereira is an expert on comedies as ¨¨Rose sauce¨, Why do they call it love when they mean sex ?¨, ¨Mouth to mouth¨ , "All Men Are the Same" , though he also has made some drama as ¨The hanged man¨ and this ¨Between your legs¨ . His latest projects, however, tanked as "Off Key" starred by an American-all star cast but was a failure both economically and artistically or simply didn't deliver as "Atrévete y Verás" . Nowadays , he directs TV chapters as ¨Gran Reserva¨ and ¨Cheers¨ series . Rating : 6/10 . Decent Spanish thriller , though a little sad for the successive distresses happen the protagonists . The picture will appeal to Clara Lago/Alvaro Cervantes fans .

Strange choice for a comedy director

[josean_xx · 7/10 · 12 January 2009]

The story revolves around some sort of teenage crazy love, and a very dramatic one. Sandra and David meet as kids and grow up together. While Sandra develops as a nice girl, David behavior is always at odds with the world, his unfriendly father, family, school, etc. They stay as friends until one day the affair takes a different dimension. Sandra soon discovers she is not exactly safe with David and, accepting his father suggestion, leaves for Dublin, where she intends to learn English. David follows her and, rebutted, is lost forever. It's a strange choice of film for a director who built a successful career doing some of the best Spanish comedies ever and has remained silent for a number of years. The script, based on a novel, never really gets as gutsy as it should considering the story. Clara Lago is really beautiful and sexy, but her counterpart, Alvaro Cervantes isn't as ominous and dangerous as the role would request. It's entertaining but never really goes as far as it should. As you would expect from a director as proficient as Gomez Pereira, all tech work is excellent.

movie link

[satish-hs · 7/10 · 14 February 2014]

The review proved informative. I have still to see this movie before I could comment on the same. I saw Alvaro Cervantes movie "Three meters above heaven" and was happy with him featuring with Mario Casas. The review appears good and the film should have been a big hit at that time of the period when it was released. One thing I have to complement is that Spain really has a few very good story writers, film producers and directors who come up with great stories and films. I wish to see this movie too. However, I have been made to understand that we could free download the movie via IMDb. If yes, please provide me the link. I would appreciate the movie with proper English subtitles This will help me to understand the movie best. Thanks

..excellent.. don't know bout that.. but above average for sure

[bjarias · 6/10 · 19 February 2017]

..it's a pretty good little film.. the two leads really make it work.. and at pretty much the age of the character she's portraying this incredible young teenager does an absolutely remarkable job.. indicating just how much talent she possesses, and she is just a wonder to behold on-screen, she'll be around for a very long career if she so chooses.... but seriously, in real life would most any teen age boy be able to keep his hands off her until he was eighteen.. of course not.. but these kinds of scrips lots of times require some substantial leaps of faith.. and this one for sure has more than its' fair share.. but in the end you'll probably give it a six, or maybe even a slightly higher rating (for her especially).. even with an ending that you pretty much knew had to happen... yes, from the very start he was 'the hanged man'... and btw.. her name was first in the opening acting credits.. but appeared near last at the end of the movie... that should not have been.. as it was totally 'her' film

Excellent movie; much more than a thriller

[abisio · 9/10 · 12 July 2009]

I used to play the HANGMEN GAME thirty or forty years ago when PS or Nintendo were only dreams. It is a simple guessing game with 6 opportunities to guess the single characters, word or phrase. Every mistake a part of the body is drawn (head, torso, arms and legs). if the body is completely drawn you lost the game. The guessing game the movie plays is more with the audience than with the characters. Even could be as surprised as we when events unfold. Sandra and David (Claro Lago and Andres Servantes, both outstanding actors) live in a small town in Spain and go the same school. They meet in the seventies when they were little children and due an accident they produce, have to stage a lie to cover and protect each other; becoming best friends since them. The tale jumps to 1989; Sandra is 16; a brilliant student trying to go to UK to finish her English studies. On the contrary David (almost 18) is a terrible student, not very bright who risk his life on dangerous bets to get some extra money; but a tender and likable person. One day, a psycho kidnaps and rapes Sandra. She manages to escape alive stabbing the men with his own knife. Convinced she committed a crime, she goes to the only person who trust, David. He promised to get rid of the body but she must keep everything as a secret. When families are presented; it is easy to understand why. Their middle class parents are different on the outside. David's father is violent and controlling while Sandra's is permissive on the outside but create obstacles to avoid or control his daughter decisions. Both mothers are basically moderators on their partner's reactions. It is easy to notice that differences aside, none of them is able to communicate or understand with their siblings. A series of intense events unfold and this two become passionate lovers, love becomes obsession and things gets pretty ugly. These are very young and inexperienced people, not mature enough to handle their fears and with nobody to ask for advice. The movie works perfect as a thriller as much as a sad love story but it is also a crude and very effective portrait of parents incapacity on parenting and young people incapacity on the twist of love and life. Telling more will ruin the many unexpected surprises of the movie provides. This movie was rated PG-13 in Spain; however it contains far more sex nudity and nudity ( not exploitative and far from gratuitous) than any recent USA movie; so it will probably get a hard R here if ever shown. It will be really a pity since it is an excellent movie to see for parents and youngsters as well.