Chino, a small time crook is in love with a prostitute, Lucia, who is also dealing drugs. Charly, who is a friend of Chino, is introduced to Lucia, who immediately falls for the handsome guy. The three prepare to rob a Frenchman as Lucia meets him for a sexual encounter. In executing their scheme, they hurt the man, who is believed to be dead, and the trio flees. Lucia is instrumental for bringing the three of them together in bed, something that makes Chino uncomfortable with the whole situation, but which seems to satisfy her, and Charly. Their friendship will soon turn in a different direction.
At the same time, Chino, whose brother Antonio is a cop, wants to join the force. With the help of his brother, Chino is accepted. When a botched robbery sends Charly to jail, Lucia clings to Chino, as her salvation. Lucia, and her drug addicted mother, Charita, who appears out of the blue at her door, begin preparing the drugs at home because with Charly away, it's the only thing she knows will guarantee her a good return for her investment.
After Charly is released, Chino hears from Antonio how Lucia has two-timed him in going to visit him in jail and she waits for him as he is set free. At this point, we realize that Antonio is more deeply involved with his brother and his friends than really meets the eye because of his secret manipulations. At the end, after a horrible car accident in one of the busiest streets of Madrid, the trio's friendship comes to an end, as Chino realizes Lucia will never be his.
Daniel Calparsoro, the director, who co-wrote the screen play with Frank Palacios, made a tense film that clearly takes the viewer into the underworld where Lucia, Charly and Chino live. The strength of the movie lies in the portrayals he was able to get from the three leading actors.
Not being a fan of Najwa Nimri, whose diction could improve, we must admit that she does a credible job as Lucia, the woman torn between two lovers who wants a better life, but who keeps getting pushed down by the circumstances she encounters. Juan Diego Boto, an interesting young actor, is wonderful as Charly. The real surprise for this viewer, at least, was Gustavo Salmeron, who gives an intense performance as Chino, the most vulnerable of the trio. Antonia San Juan, who has done better work, doesn't have much to do in a role that is not believable. Alfredo Villa, who plays Antonio, the crooked cop, has some effective moments and contributes to the over all success of this film.
"Asfalto" was made better by the direction of Daniel Calparsoro.
At the same time, Chino, whose brother Antonio is a cop, wants to join the force. With the help of his brother, Chino is accepted. When a botched robbery sends Charly to jail, Lucia clings to Chino, as her salvation. Lucia, and her drug addicted mother, Charita, who appears out of the blue at her door, begin preparing the drugs at home because with Charly away, it's the only thing she knows will guarantee her a good return for her investment.
After Charly is released, Chino hears from Antonio how Lucia has two-timed him in going to visit him in jail and she waits for him as he is set free. At this point, we realize that Antonio is more deeply involved with his brother and his friends than really meets the eye because of his secret manipulations. At the end, after a horrible car accident in one of the busiest streets of Madrid, the trio's friendship comes to an end, as Chino realizes Lucia will never be his.
Daniel Calparsoro, the director, who co-wrote the screen play with Frank Palacios, made a tense film that clearly takes the viewer into the underworld where Lucia, Charly and Chino live. The strength of the movie lies in the portrayals he was able to get from the three leading actors.
Not being a fan of Najwa Nimri, whose diction could improve, we must admit that she does a credible job as Lucia, the woman torn between two lovers who wants a better life, but who keeps getting pushed down by the circumstances she encounters. Juan Diego Boto, an interesting young actor, is wonderful as Charly. The real surprise for this viewer, at least, was Gustavo Salmeron, who gives an intense performance as Chino, the most vulnerable of the trio. Antonia San Juan, who has done better work, doesn't have much to do in a role that is not believable. Alfredo Villa, who plays Antonio, the crooked cop, has some effective moments and contributes to the over all success of this film.
"Asfalto" was made better by the direction of Daniel Calparsoro.