The synopsis available on IMDb describes as a "two-character verbose dissertation on writing, careerism, aging and politics". Set against the backdrop of a sweltering summer in the Spanish capital in 1987, the story follows Miguel (played by José Sacristán), a cynical, older, and highly celebrated journalist. He agrees to meet Ángela (played by María Valverde), a beautiful and idealistic young journalism student, for an interview. However, what begins as a professional encounter soon becomes a psychological game of seduction.
Despite the mixed reception, the film gained significant traction on the international film festival circuit—a journey well-documented on IMDb. It was an official selection at the , where it competed for the World Cinema Grand Jury Prize. The film earned José Sacristán a Best Actor award at the Forqué Awards and was also nominated for a CEC Award for his performance.
The choice ultimately depends on your taste. If you are looking for fast-paced action or a conventional romance, this is not your movie. Madrid 1987 Imdb
What begins as a professional encounter quickly shifts tone when Miguel, aiming to seduce the young woman, leads her to a private apartment, which they eventually find themselves locked inside, naked. The rest of the film plays out as a intense, claustrophobic chamber drama, with the two characters engaging in a philosophical battle of wits, discussing literature, politics, careerism, and the generational divides of a Spain still reeling from the transition to democracy. 2. Key Themes: Beyond the Seduction
Summary
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Title: Madrid (1987) Type: Film (assumed feature) Primary subject: The city of Madrid as portrayed in a 1987 film (IMDb entry: "Madrid (1987)") The synopsis available on IMDb describes as a
The year chosen for the title is not arbitrary. By 1987, Spain was a decade removed from the death of dictator Francisco Franco. The country was experiencing a massive cultural explosion, characterized by the Movida Madrileña , economic modernization, and a newfound sense of absolute freedom.
The most visited section on the film’s IMDb page is the . This is not a film for the faint of heart. The guide lists: However, what begins as a professional encounter soon
: A legendary, feared, and respected journalist in his 70s who is cynical about his profession and his life. The Los Angeles Times noted that Sacristán's performance gives his character a "resonance beyond the symbolic," making him more than just a one-dimensional archetype of the older generation. A Miami New Times review called his character "a tangle of articulate, stentorian cynicism for whom everything new is in stark contrast to a supposedly better past".
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