Marshland review: A rare film that both wears you down and tears you apart, but also brings you hope -Almost faultless. It’s creepy, terrifying, and beautiful.”
Marshland review
The serial killer genre is one that is always endlessly entertaining and interesting. The exploration of men driven to extremes and the men sent to catch them seems to always strike a chord with audiences wanting to safely explore the darker side of humanity. It is also one of the genres that hit any level of quality, from the very poor, to mediocre, and some of the best films ever made. Marshland is Spain’s effort into the genre and happily sits just below the genre’s best.
Marshland arrives with a lot of hype attached to it, having picked up many awards at Spain’s answer to the Oscars, and it’s success should come as no surprise. Director Alberto Rodriguez takes the genius creative approach of searching far and wide for inspiration to make this both a stunningly beautiful film, as well as a well paced and heart pounding thriller. Along with cinematographer Alex Catalan, every shot looks like a serene and magical sunset, perfectly capturing those moments of being overcome with beauty, while also still being tired and weary.
Marshland review
The film also revels in a wonderful recreation of an uncertain time in Spain’s history. Set in 1980, we find a world still adjusting after the death of controversial dictator Francisco Franco. Such uncertainty is represented by the two protagonists, Pedro (Arevalo) and Juan (Gutierrez), who each represent a different political way of thinking, and a different way of carrying out their jobs. Pedro is the new way of thinking, while Juan will beat out the information he needs. Needles to say, both ways of thinking come in useful at different points in a relationship similar to that of the leads in Bong Joon Ho’s Memories Of Murder. With costumes, automobiles, and a well selected soundtrack transporting us back in time, it’s immediately accessible even to those with limited knowledge of the time and the place.
Those well versed, or even just casually interested in film will recognise a lot of these devices from the off. There are also plot points involving the original case being a simple missing person’s report that uncovers a mini-conspiracy, while the gradual build-up can feel as though it’s checking boxes. Thankfully though, the construction of Marshland is almost faultless. It’s creepy, terrifying, and beautiful, as well as having fleshed out dynamics between characters. Leaving a lasting impression seems to be something that many films struggle with these days, but Marshland is that rare film that both wears you down and tears you apart, but also brings you hope.
Marshland review by Luke Ryan Baldock, August 2015.
Marshland is playing in selected UK cinemas now.
