spellbinding story and cinematography

Rating: 10/10 (4 February 2007)

I came to the theatre not knowing anything about this movie. I had no idea it was a Spanish flick. I expected some sort of Hollywood fantasy and hoped for somewhat decent plot.
Instead I saw a great movie. The movie wpuld have probably stood on its own had no magic been intertwined but it is more interesting as it was. Two stories. One real and one magical.
I think the real story could have been a little less graphic in its depiction of violence. I'm getting really tired with directors going over the line to portray cruelty. We get it OK? We can go on the internet and get as much cruelty from the real life as we can stomach.
But the camera-work, the framing, acting, lighting, music, plot - all wonderful.