Review by John Delia
One of the better foreign films I’ve seen this year Marshland (La isla minima) paints a very morbid picture of a serial killing. Well-acted the film grips you from the very beginning never letting you go till the credits roll. Although it may give you a feeling of déjà vu from the myriad of both screen and TV films that feature the same subject, this film puts a different twist on the sordid crime. If you are not tired of the worn out theme and would like to see what Spain has to offer, check out Marshland opening in theaters this weekend. The film took 10 statuettes at the Goya Awards (Spain’s Oscars).
Set in Spain where miles of swampy tributaries cover the outskirts of a small town, an ominous shroud is about to settle over the people. Reported missing are two vibrant seventeen year old girls who are well liked in this area that serves many seasonal crop workers. Assigned to the case are Juan (Javier Gutierrez), a tough no-nonsense detective and Pedro (Raul Arevalo), his partner who hasn’t worked major crimes. Concerned about his missing daughters Rodrigo (Antonio de la Torre) pushes Juan to go out and look for them even though they have been gone only one night. Not wanting to upset the family, he makes an initial effort. When two days later the bodies of the teens are discovered in the marsh having been raped and tortured, Juan and Pedro step up the effort.
The film becomes very suspenseful, even menacing when the report of two other young girls have gone missing. Director and screenwriter Alberto Rodriguez keeps his film dark and foreboding as he moves his detectives through his compelling storyline. Keeping the pace in tune with the scary atmosphere surrounding the killings and the lack of evidence to go on, he then turns it up when the first lead shows promise.
His characters are reasonably fresh and new, giving them quirks and backgrounds that liven the dreary theme. Both of the main actors Javier Gutierrez and Raul Arevalo are very good in their roles as the cops assigned to the case. While Pedro is new to horrendous crimes, we find Juan has had a past that shows in his rough handling of suspected killers and witnesses. He has no qualms about using brute force in getting evidence from both men and women either, and you can see Pedro slowly becoming wary of his teacher.
The cinematography showing the ominous marshy landscape, nighttime car chases and gloomy interiors contribute to Mashland’s deep seeded hunt for the serial killer. The sets are ordinary, but for most films of this ilk they serve the purpose. Working with low light can be a challenge, but for the most part it works well in Marshland. Especially in one long scene where the two detectives are speeding down dirt roads with swamp on each side and barley able to navagte in the pitch back of night.
Marshland has not been rated by the MPAA but contains violence, gore, language, drug use, nudity, some sexuality and brutality. The filmmakers recommend parental guidance due to adult themes of violence and sexuality. The film’s language is Spanish with English Subtitles.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A good film that offers fine acting and a lot of suspense. (B-)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Raul Arevalo, Javier Gutierrez, Antonio de la Torre, Nerea Barros, Salva Reina, Jesus Castro, Manolo Solo, Mercedes Leon, Juan Carlos Villanueva, Ana Tomeno.
Directed and screenplay by: Alberto Rodriguez
Genre: Drama, Crime, Foreign
Language: In Spanish with English Subtitles
MPAA Rating: Unrated, Contains violence, gore, language, drug use, nudity, some sexuality and brutality
Running Time: 1 hr. 45 min.
Release Date: August 21, 2015
Distributed by: Outsider Pictures