2014 Spanish Film Festival: Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed
Starring: Javier Camara, Francesc Colomer, Natalia de Molina
Directed By: David Trueba
Reviewed by Brendan Dousi
[Rating: 3.5/5]
It’s a common misconception that Brisbane is a cultural wasteland. In fact, if you do enough research and keep your ear to the ground there will always be something amazing, educational and multi-cultural happening in the River City. If International film is your vice, you’re definitely in luck. Brisbane is constantly rife with wonderful international film festivals, the latest of which will be the 2014 Spanish Film Festival presented by Estrella Damm. The festival has some of the latest and best Spanish films in their program, starting with their Opening Night feature Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed.
In 1966 Antonio (Javier Camara) is an eccentric English/Latin teacher who is unnaturally obsessed with the Beatles. He uses their songs to help teach his classes, has encyclopaedic knowledge of everything about them and has planned a road trip to go and meet John Lennon as he films a movie on the coast of Spain. Juanjo (Francesc Colomer) is in that rebellious teenager phase, he has a lot of siblings and his father is very tough on him. When ordered to cut his hair, Juanjo refuses which prompts a swift beating. Sick of is strict, overbearing father, Juanjo decides his best course is to run away from home. Then there is Belén (Natalia de Molina), a beautiful young woman being held hostage by a cruel old Nun, sent there by her parents to wait out her pregnancy until her child can be taken and put up for adoption. Belén decides enough is enough and decides to escape. Antonio, a kind and funny man eventually finds both teenagers and decides to bring them along with him on his crusade to meet John Lennon.
The best thing about Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed is by far the main character Antonio and his relationships with the others. Camara pulls out a fantastic performance as Antonio; a sweet, odd and funny man that is clearly fed up with his life and wishes to pursue his passion. He is a delightful character, perhaps one of the most delightful seen on screen in a long time. While the other characters are young, he treats them with a level of respect and humour not often seen between adults and teenagers on screen. It’s always refreshing when a film features a character with complete, unbending positivity. The film itself is just like Antonio; it’s uncomplicated, a little simple but ultimately friendly and funny with a cheery disposition.
In a way, this is also the films main fault. It’s so friendly and optimistic that it’s more like a pleasant stroll through the park rather than an engaging, stimulating piece of entertainment. Beyond some doubts as to whether Antonio will live out his dream and Juanjo’s hair facing a bit of peril, there isn’t a lot of conflict in this film. In fact, there’s no real climax. It couldn’t even be called anti-climactic because there’s no climax to begin with. We simply are following these characters through a moment in their lives, perhaps one of the most important moments, just not a very dramatic one. The film still does its job, the characters change and grow and the audience is never left feeling unsatisfied. Ultimately, it’s not too bad at all when the films main criticism is that it’s ‘too nice’.
Living Is Easy With Eyes closed is a strong, pleasing and fulfilling opening to the 2014 Spanish Film Festival. With amazing performances and an inspiring, upbeat attitude it’s no wonder why this film has won awards around the globe and is garnering international acclaim. Catch it during the festival if you can, but never fear if you can’t make it, the festival has plenty more amazing films to offer as well.
