Such Brilliance

Rating: 10/10 (17 February 2007)

Let me start by saying that this is not fantasy in the sense of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, but something much deeper.
The story takes place in late World War II Nationalist Spain. A little girl is pulled from her comfort zone and placed into the hills of northern Spain. In this new place, she is now under the cruel control of her (for lack of a better word) evil stepfather.
Quickly she finds a Faun at the center of an old labyrinth in the countryside who sends her on a quest for immortality, as she performs three task. The less you know about the film going in, the better.
It really helps this movie to understand the political climate of Spain at this time. Nationalist Spain had just undergone a Republican Spain, and had formulated a fascist government.
Likewise you must understand that the main character is a young girl, and throughout the film she does things that young children do. Many viewers have complained about some of the protagonist actions, but that comes from a misunderstanding of the nature of children.
While some people have been turned off by its use of subtitles, I humbly refute by arguing that the Spanish language lends such poetry to the dialog, that the movie would have been butchered in English.
Along with the flow of dialog, you find that the score for the movie adds such a mood to the film that at some moments you can merely watch the actions taking place and listen to know what's going on.
One final note is that this movie's use of literary devices (such a rarity in modern film). You have subtle foreshadowing to subtle, yet crucial plot points, and blatant foreshadowing to the shallower plot points. You have symbolism (to say what symbolizes what would ruin far to much) themes, motifs, allusions and some of the best characterization I've seen in years.
Do NOT under any circumstance dismiss this movie as a childish fantasy and keep expecting David Bowie to pop out. This is a mature fairy tail that demands a mature interpretation from its viewers; It is flawless in every effort it makes. This is a truly unique experience that is not to be missed, and again the less you know going into it, the better