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DarkBlueAlmostBlack

Play trailer Poster for DarkBlueAlmostBlack 2007 1h 45m Drama LGBTQ+ Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
70% Tomatometer 20 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 2,500+ Ratings
Jorge (Quim Gutiérrez) is trying to better his life, and the first step, he believes, is to land a different job. Jorge, who spends his days working as a janitor and his nights watching his ailing father (Héctor Colomé), longs for more. Also facing crossroads in their lives are Jorge's ex-con brother, Antonio (Antonio de la Torre), who is in a relationship with a woman still in prison, and Jorge's best friend (Raúl Arévalo), who is confronting the possibility that he may be gay.

Critics Reviews

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V.A. Musetto New York Post 10/19/2007
2/4
Director Daniel Sanchez Arvalo would have done well leaving a few subplots on the cutting-room floor. Quality almost always is better than quantity. Go to Full Review
Jeannette Catsoulis New York Times 10/19/2007
4/5
Bifurcated images, isolating the characters from their dreams and from one another, create a yearning atmosphere that pulls you in; like their director, you really want them to escape. Go to Full Review
Nathan Lee Village Voice 10/16/2007
Tells [a] ludicrously compact, aggressively 'heartfelt,' colorfully contrived story. Go to Full Review
Martin Tsai New York Sun 04/21/2023
Those who have Almodóvarian preconceptions about Spain are in for a surprise. Go to Full Review
David Lamble Bay Area Reporter 05/22/2020
An unexpected crossover between the stories packs an entertaining wallop. Go to Full Review
Amber Wilkinson Eye for Film 12/07/2007
3.5/5
The plotline's complexity is matched by the depth of the issues explored, with the cast uniformly coming up trumps. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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dave s 01/07/2023 The characters in Dark Blue Almost Black have seemingly been defeated by life, deeply flawed individuals surrendering their dreams to circumstances they are unable to control or alter. Despite this, they are somehow relatable and, perhaps more surprisingly, strangely likeable. Set in Madrid, the main protagonist, Jorge (Quim Gutierrez) works as a janitor while supporting his ailing father, reluctant to pursue his desired career in the world of business. Impacting his life are an ex-convict brother, his brother's imprisoned girlfriend, an unrequited love from his childhood, and a best friend struggling with his sexuality. It is a moving film, a human tapestry that provides a unique insight into the human condition, filled with impressive performances and subtle plot developments that keep things interesting throughout. See more Benjamin H 11/16/2022 Lacking in investing storytelling, Daniel Sanchez Arevalo's Spanish drama has some interesting characters and message but expresses them with boundless dirtiness and tiring pace. See more 10/01/2021 Very well performed movie, in every way. The story of Israel touched me in a moment where I was discovering my sexuality, and the drama between Jorge and Paula was pretty interesting too. Also, very good soundtrack, where "Imaginarte" of Lantana it's still on my Spotify lists. See more 10/21/2020 Lacking in investing storytelling, Daniel Sanchez Arevalo's Spanish drama has some interesting characters and message but expresses them with boundless dirtiness and tiring pace. See more 03/13/2016 Inside all this mess,there was something that pulled me in.I am not sure if that something is the characters or the central plot,but it kept me going.It was a really well-performed and well-directed movie,and quite enjoyable.Once again European cinema shows that it knows what it's doing.DarkBlueAlmostBlack is the dream we all have and all the things that pull us away from it.In that essense it was great! See more 04/08/2013 The blues, dark, almost black... That's Daniel Sánchez Arévalo's message in his highly rewarded azuloscurocasinegro. It happens to be the same color as the suit Jorge (Quim Gutiérrez) is dreaming of. This suit represents his freedom. The movie itself is set in the same dark blue color setting, but it never gets too moody. there is a nice balance between the emotions (there are some really funny parts with Israel and with Jorge's brother Antonio), joined by a very decent score. The story never gets into extremes: the emotions are subtle but real. The characters are well developed (especially Jorge's and Paula's), and deep enough to be able to feel with them. Newcomer Daniel Sánchez Arévalo brings us a delicate story with a smile and a tear. See more Read all reviews
DarkBlueAlmostBlack

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Movie Info

Synopsis Jorge (Quim Gutiérrez) is trying to better his life, and the first step, he believes, is to land a different job. Jorge, who spends his days working as a janitor and his nights watching his ailing father (Héctor Colomé), longs for more. Also facing crossroads in their lives are Jorge's ex-con brother, Antonio (Antonio de la Torre), who is in a relationship with a woman still in prison, and Jorge's best friend (Raúl Arévalo), who is confronting the possibility that he may be gay.
Director
Daniel Sánchez Arévalo
Screenwriter
Daniel Sánchez Arévalo
Distributor
Strand Releasing
Production Co
Tesela Producciones Cinematográficas, Canal+ España, Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales (ICAA), Televisión Española (TVE), Instituto de Crédito Oficial (ICO)
Genre
Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language
European Spanish
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 19, 2007, Limited
Release Date (DVD)
Jan 8, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$4.8K
Runtime
1h 45m
Sound Mix
Dolby Digital