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DVD Arrugas
 Run time: 89 min Rating: 7.6 Genres: Animation | Drama Director: Ignacio Ferreras Writers: Rosanna Cecchini, Ignacio Ferreras Stars: Tacho González, Álvaro Guevara, Mabel Rivera |
| Storyline Based on Paco Roca’s comic of the same title (2008 Spanish National Comic Prize), WRINKLES is a 2D animated feature-length film for an adult audience. Wrinkles portrays the friendship between Emilio and Miguel, two aged gentlemen shut away in a care home. Recent arrival Emilio, in the early stages of Alzheimer, is helped by Miguel and colleagues to avoid ending up on the feared top floor of the care home, also known as the lost causes or “assisted” floor. Their wild plan infuses their otherwise tedious day-to-day with humor and tenderness, because although for some their lives are coming to an end, for them it is just a new beginning. Written by Production company |
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| Plot Keywords: friendship, bell tower, swimming with clothes on, dog leash, childhood memory | |
| Details: Country: Spain Release Date: 18 April 2014 (UK) |
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| Box Office Budget: €2,000,000 (estimated) |
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4 comments
"Wrinkles" is a very nice animated film from Spain, where the melancholic tone of the story is combined with lots of tender and funny elements, making this a highly enjoyable experience to watch.
Based in a graphic novel done by the Spanish comic book artist Paco Roca, this film is both a heartwarming tale of friendship, but also it also works very well as a harsh criticism of how modern society treats the elderly, always from a very nostalgic, but at the same time gentle perspective.
The animation from this movie is simple, but well done, with a very pleasant character design style. The sceneries are pretty, giving the excellent story an appropriate atmosphere, while the music fits perfectly well with the mood of the story, capturing the both the sadness and happiness displayed by this story.
The combination of seriousness with an almost childish innocence gives this film a special tone, being one of those films that one enjoys to watch, but that make you think and meditate and the same time. "Wrinkles" is a solid animated movie, which deserves way more recognition. Along with "Persepolis" it is one of the best animated adaptations of a graphic novel, examining the problems of the elderly in modern society from a mature and honest perspective
I'll cut right to the chase—Paco Roca's story "Wrinkles" is exceptionally well done but also extremely difficult to watch. Some of this might be because I am soon approaching my 50th birthday, though I would think anyone watching the film would feel a great sense of dread about old age, dementia and stagnation—as they are the themes of this depressing story.
Wrinkles is an animated film from Spain and although I always prefer subtitled films, cartoons can usually be dubbed without a serious problem for the viewer and this is definitely true of this film. Plus, in a nice nod to the original cast, when the English language version ended, they listed not only the English language voice actors but the original Spanish ones as well.
The movie follows the lives of Emilio (Martin Sheen) and Miguel (George Coe)—two men who have been forced to move into a retirement home. Much of the film centers on Emilio, as he moves from living with his son to the nursing home. The transition isn't easy, as Emilio is losing his independence and the staff at the place treat the residents in a rather patronizing manner. Miguel, a long-time resident, helps Emilio to get used to the place. Sadly, you soon realize that Emilio is slowly losing his mind to Alzheimer's and Miguel is determined to fight to stay alert and mentally sound. How the two become friends and deal with this institutional life is the focus of the film and the final portion shows how Miguel adapts to the loss of his friend…or at least the man who his friend used to be.
The least satisfying thing about "Wrinkles" is the animation. It isn't bad—just don't expect Disney or Miyazaki! In many ways, the artwork looks a lot like the great TV series "The Critic". This isn't a serious problem and didn't harm the story—but it certainly isn't the strong point of the film.
As to the strength of the film, it's the writing and dialog. It is an expertly crafted film and it was nice to see an adult animated movie instead of the usual kiddie fare. The film never shies away from the depressing aspects of institutional living and the characters seemed very real. This makes for a very good film but also for a super- depressing one. Because you care for the characters, it hurts to see them slip away…and it reminds you that it will most likely happen to you as well. Because of this, while I appreciated the film it is clearly a difficult film for many to watch. Such lines as 'you you're your whole…and THIS is how it ends…" clearly aren't examples of a feel-good movie! The seriously depressed should also avoid it as I just can only imagine watching the film would make this worse.
A Spanish animated drama telling the story of Emilio, a retired bank manager who is developing early signs of Alzheimer. His son makes the difficult decision to put him in a care home, much to his father's disappointment. There, he slowly strikes up a friendship with his roommate Miguel who has all his marbles and spends his time making money out of his confused neighbours. The two find ways of relieving the boredom of the home but Emilio is seemingly fighting a losing battle as his memory begins to fade.
I thought this was an interesting little drama with a balanced mix of pathos and humour. For someone who works with older people, often in a care capacity, much of this rang true with me, particularly the boredom and loneliness that many experience when they move into a home. It never threatens to be anything truly groundbreaking and the animation is pretty basic but nonetheless it is a worthy film with some lovely scenes and will strike a chord with anyone who has had to deal with this terrible disease.
This animated picture is not aimed at children. And while you might have heard this before, especially concerning animated movies from Asia, this is a whole different deal. This involves matters and issues that concern the elderly. That does not mean, it is only for the elderly. Hopefully many people will watch it, but it would be a shame if you went to watch this movie expecting something else.
After this sort of foreword, I hope you know what you are letting yourself into. The movie itself is a tough watch, but it still has its funny moments nevertheless. The graphics might not appeal to everybody, same goes for the ethics and the way the movie ends. But you can't satisfy everybody …