DarkBlueAlmostBlack

Released Oct 19, 2007

1h 45m

Drama

LGBTQ+

List

70%

Tomatometer

20 Reviews

84%

Audience Score

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.

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Tom Beer

Time Out

Rated: 2/5

Nov 16, 2011

Full Review

V.A. Musetto

New York Post

Director Daniel Sanchez Arvalo would have done well leaving a few subplots on the cutting-room floor. Quality almost always is better than quantity.

Rated: 2/4

Oct 19, 2007

Full Review

Jeannette Catsoulis

New York Times

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.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 19, 2007

Full Review

Martin Tsai

New York Sun

Those who have Almodóvarian preconceptions about Spain are in for a surprise.

Apr 21, 2023

Full Review

David Lamble

Bay Area Reporter

An unexpected crossover between the stories packs an entertaining wallop.

May 22, 2020

Full Review

Amber Wilkinson

Eye for Film

The plotline's complexity is matched by the depth of the issues explored, with the cast uniformly coming up trumps.

Rated: 3.5/5

Dec 7, 2007

Full Review

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dave s

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.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Benjamin H

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.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

11/16/22

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Audience Member

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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!

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

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.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

Full Review

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Daniel Sánchez Arévalo

Director

Quim Gutiérrez

Jorge

Marta Etura

Paula

Raúl Arévalo

Israel

Antonio de la Torre

Antonio

Héctor Colomé

Andrés

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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
Producer: José Antonio Félez
Screenwriter: Daniel Sánchez Arévalo
Distributor: Strand Releasing
Genre: Drama, LGBTQ+
Original Language: Spanish (Spain)
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