The Weakness of the Bolshevik (2003) User Reviews

Great film from a brilliant novel

[newland80 · 8/10 · 14 August 2004]

Pablo López is a dull businessman who engages in an unusual relationship with a fourteen-year-old, María. This will change his perception of life in a way he would never have suspected.

Based on a brilliant novel by Lorenzo Silva (who also co-writes the screenplay), the movie is quite loyal to the original text, although some pivotal parts seem to have been lost somewhere in between the novel and the script (the meaning of the title is not explained, for instance). Nevertheless, the writers are to be praised for their marvelous dialogs, which make the characters more real and unaffected.

The two leading actors (Luis Tosar and teen María Valverde) provide excellent performances. Valverde's performance is extremely unaffected for a debut, while Tosar once more shows his natural skill and versatility. It's a pity two fine actresses such as Mar Regueras and Nathalie Poza are left with not much more than a couple of scenes each, but the focus of the story is clearly and understandably set on the leads.

Given that this is only director Martín Cuenca's first film, I am eager to see what he will be directing in the future.

Overall rating: 8/10

Enjoyable film deals with a man's infatuation with a nymphet including nice performances and slick direction

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 2 September 2014]

Lively and emotive drama based on a novel by Lorenzo Silva , this movie deals with a special love story between a mature manager and a teenager . After crashing into the rear of the car in front of him against other driver named Sonsoles (Mar Regueras) , angry Pablo Lopez (Luis Tosar) begins arguing with her , who finally files for a wound claim against him . Therefore, the revengeful businessman starts harassing her and doing obscene phone calls . Later on , Pablo observes her younger sister Maria (Maria Valverde) in her schoolyard and falls for her . When he gets to meet the beautiful girl , his perception of life and friendship are utterly changed , but the events go awry .

"The Weakness of the Bolshevik" turns out to be a moving drama well realized by Manuel Martin Cuenca about a marvelous friendship leads into a tragedy . This is a thought-provoking as well as intense flick filmed with great sensitivity and feeling . It's an intelligent and touching story although sometimes is slow moving and tiring but is finely developed with sense of style and sensibility . Very pleasant drama filled with emotion , artistic scenes and plenty of sensitivity . The picture relies heavily on the unusual and tragic relationship between a frustrated businessman and a 14-year-old student , but it doesn't makes boring , but results to be entertaining . This is a pleasant movie plenty of good feeling , drama , stirring scenes and a peculiar love story . Interesting screenplay by the same filmmaker , Martin Cuenca , who often writes his own scripts , and sometimes with his friend Alejandro Hernández . This is one of those rare gems that does not stray from its purpose - to be a celebration of love and romance and a sensitive tale . Terrific acting by the great Luis Tosar and an attractive as well as newcomer Maria Valverde . Support cast is frankly well such as Rubén Ochandiano , Jordi Dauder , Enriqueta Carballeira and Nathalie Poza , among others .

Emotive musical score by Roque Baños , the soundtrack flows great with the film in every way, and creates an agreeable atmosphere in every moment , including a sensitive leitmotif . Baños is a successful composer such as ¨Fragiles¨ , ¨The Machinist¨ , ¨Sexy beast¨ , ¨800 bullets¨ and composing Hollywood pictures such as ¨Old Boy¨ . Colorful and evocative cinematography by Alfonso Parra filmed in Madrid and its Temple of Debod . The film was well produced by José Miguel Juárez , Alfonso Lanza , Antonio Romero and compellingly directed by Manuel Martin Cuenca . Martin Cuenca has established himself as one of Spain's most artistically astute directors , his works consistently evolving in skill and style . Manuel Martín Cuenca was born on November 30, 1964 in Almería , Almería, Andalucía , location where he usually shoots his pictures . He is a good director and writer, known for Malas Temporadas (2005) , 4 Puntos Cardinales (2002) , being his best movies : Caníbal or Cannibal (2013) and this La Flaqueza Del Bolchevique (2003) . Rating : Better than average . Worthwhile watching .

Ruined by the ending

[stratosl · 6/10 · 19 May 2010]

What came across to me as a very engaging film, was ruined by a disappointing and abrupt conclusion. The movie succeeded in keeping my interest undiminished from the beginning until the last 2-3 minutes. The director didn't even make the effort to explain to us why the hero ends up like this, what happened; even if this is the original ending of the novel, at least he ought to support it by giving us a slight clue. Instead, he preferred to rush it and leave us wondering. Overall, the movie is good, I loved Maria's acting, looks, style, the fresh air she brought to the film and the way the two characters interact and develop their, eventually platonic, relationship.

Top flight Spanish cinema

[prs51 · 10/10 · 29 December 2007]

An aggressive spiritually empty businessman in his early thirties meets a 16yo girl while pursuing a nasty vendetta against her equally jaded older sister with whom he has had a traffic accident.Whilst no angel herself,the girl nevertheless reawakens his long-lost idealism and enthusiasm for life but his egregious past behavior catches up and destroys them both. Does the older man-younger girl sound clichéd? Yes,but it is done with enough style panache and plot twists to keep you riveted throughout. Is the central relationship tacky? It keeps threatening to be but somehow manages to retain a wonderful sweetness about it despite the sizzling chemistry between Luis Tosar and Maria Valverde. Art-house relationships cinema at its best.

A puff of fresh air

[davidator · 9/10 · 2 August 2005]

Embittered man in the thirties (Pablo), who is fed up of his daily routine and the society, meet a young girl (María) that brings him a puff of fresh air and makes him think that life has sense again. He knows he shouldn't do it but, he realize that it's fruitless to fight against that kind of feelings. The film is based in the homonym novel by Lorenzo Silva.

Fantastic performance of Luis Tosar (Los lunes al sol, Te doy mis ojos, Inconscientes...), able to transmit all kind of emotions with his face, and María Valverde, always innocence and freshness (I'm also in love with you, María), on her debut.

It made a lot of time a film didn't surprise me so, I strongly recommend this film to those that want to be surprised.

Not for the ordinary, stereotyped minded

[koyalmaithili · 10/10 · 19 July 2013]

Amazing film about a relationship between two people from different generations. Well, the thought of an adult and a young girl is often disturbing but this is not about a sexual relationship but more of a psychological connection and deep mental attraction. It's those moments where two complete strangers meet and they themselves are surprised to find themselves appealing to each other in different ways. One is frustrated with his job and another is bored with her own peers but it's never that anyone of them was pursuing any such old young relationship. But it just happens. And it doesn't seem vulgar at all. Those who want to interpret it as vulgar can do so but this was more of a friendship, the evolving bond between the middle aged man and the young precocious girl. Superb acting and great directorial debut and definitely a story that is unique and unexpected but don't watch if you're looking for a Hollywoodish movie. It's not really a masterpiece kind of story but definitely different and still intriguing.

Rush hour

[jotix100 · 8/10 · 13 February 2012]

A traffic accident during rush hour in Madrid, brings Pablo and Sonsoles in close proximity. Pablo rear ends his car into hers, without major damage. Pablo, who is an executive in what we take is a top company, cannot let go of the anger he felt as he bumped into the woman and the way she got at him. Pablo begins following Sonsoles; he even resorts calling her at home without ever getting her on the phone.

One day, Pablo discovers a beautiful young woman getting in Sonsoles' car as she exits the school she attends. Pablo decides to approach the young woman, passing herself for a policeman investigating the drug dealing in school. Maria, who is wiser than her young years, sees right through the man. Before he realizes, Pablo becomes obsessed with Maria, who begins seeing in him a man that is different than the people he knows. They begin a platonic relationship, but nothing erotic ever happens between them.

"The Weakness of the Bolshevik" is a misleading title. The film is based on a novel by Lorenzo Silva, adapted for the screen by its director, Manuel Martin Cuenca, who was making his film debut with this full length feature. In many ways, the directors stays away from some of the clichés one finds in many Spanish productions where weak screenplays are bolstered with a lot of torrid sex in order to make up for what the film is lacking.

Mr. Martin Cuenca shows talent in presenting characters that are people one can relate to. Pablo is a complex man; we never know what causes his obsession with the young woman. He seems to be a self made man that has gotten to the top on his own merits, coming from humble origins. Maria, on the other hand, is a young woman of a wealthy family who gets intrigued by all the attention Pablo shows in her. His lies are paper thin, but she sees perhaps the possibility of seeing first hand a man that came from a different background.

The director gets good acting from his cast. Luis Tosar keeps impressing as Pablo. Although we never get to guess his initial motives, one can think his only way of getting even with Sonsoles is by enticing Maria to be his lover, although nothing is overtly clear. Maria Valverde, a young and vibrant actress makes an excellent Maria. Mar Regueras plays Sonsoles.

The production was photographed by Alfonso Parra, who gives us a glimpse of the new Madrid with its cutting edge buildings. The musical score is by Roque Banos. Manuel Martin Cuenca shows a new promise in the Spanish cinema.

Sadly charming

[wh0cares · 21 February 2004]

Pablo is a high executive on a bank, he doesnt like his job nor his life. One day he has a car accident and crashes into a young woman's car. Since that day everything changes for him , he finds a way to enjoy life again but...

magic, captive, lovely human

[miniyo · 8/10 · 22 January 2004]

it´s a sad tale, also hopeful, about the opportunity for becoming human again of a man who lost his soul in the financial elite of Madrid. He get to see the light in the eyes of a beautiful girl, but there is a but. Y hasta aquí puedo leer...