Biutiful, dir.Alejandro Gonzslez Inarritu

Biutiful was shown as Leytonstone Pop-Up cinema's December offering. The story of an underworld businessman, Uxbal, played by Javier Bardem, it is unrimittingly bleak throughout. Set in the run down parts of Barcelona, Uxbal moves among corrupt police, Chinese sweatshop owners and illegal African street hawkers. He also copes with his estranged wife's bipolar disorder, cares for his two children and has to deal with the fact that the heaters he procured to provide warmth for the Chinese illegal immigrants who live in an airless basement, were faulty and caused the death of 25. It really couldn't get any worse for poor old Uxbal...and then the doctor gives him the news that he has terminal cancer. Like I said, the film is unrimittingly bleak. Yet it is very enjoyable, full of compassion and human feeling, it grabs your attention and never lets go.