imperfection is perfection
Sporadic film reviews by a wanna-be filmmaker
Marshland (La isla mínima) [2014]
Originally written for:
Directed by Alberto Rodríguez Written by Rafael Cobos, Alberto Rodríguez
Starring: Javier Gutiérrez, Raúl Arévalo, María Varod, Jesús Ortiz, Antonio de la Torre
Marshland is what you would call a slow burn, as there isn’t a ton of action, nor is it fast paced. However, it is an entertaining and intriguing police procedural that takes place in a rural town in the south of Spain during 1980. The effects of the Franco dictatorship still muddy the waters; we see his name spray-painted on walls, while his influence still reverberates with many people in the town. The political climate of the region is what separates this film from any number of murder mystery/police procedure films. We see and hear about many workers’ strikes and how they are effecting the small town. Politics hang over the entire case from beginning to end, constantly providing obstacles, giving the film its own identity.
Solving a murder case in a Spaniard rural town in 1980 is one mighty challenge. Those wanted by the police are hard to find within the marshlands of the area, presenting another barrier for normal police work. I’m guessing that is where the name came from. This is the type of challenge that detectives Juan (Javier Gutiérrez) and Pedro (Raúl Arévalo) are facing. While investigating the death and mutilation of two girls found in a swamp, they find out that they are dealing with a serial killer. Two other girls lost their lives in similar ways, on almost the same dates, in both 1978 and 1979. Complicating matters is the fact that the two detectives beliefs and ideals seem to be polar opposites. They do indeed butt heads on occasion, but for the most part, both stay loyal to their partner. However, their differences make each encounter with suspects or witnesses interesting, as we see how each man handles certain incidents.
In addition to this police investigation we have an interesting character study, as we get to know both Pedro and Juan. They are brought together as partners because, while working in Madrid, Pedro wrote an angry letter to a newspaper about the government. He is later told ‘this country isn’t used to Democracy yet’ and that he can’t mouth off about the government. Pedro of course sees it in another way. His punishment, for writing a letter, was a transfer to a rural town that everyone wants to leave, according to the locals, and we never quite know what his motives are. He wants to solve the case, of course, but is he emotionally interested? Or does he just want a ticket back to Madrid and the comforts, including his family, which will be waiting for him? He seems annoyed that he has been shuttled off to a rural town, but as the case moves forward his passion rises and soon he will seemingly do anything to catch the killer.
Juan is the complete opposite of Pedro. While Pedro maintains his composure for most of the film, Juan loses his cool several times with suspects, threatening and harming them to get information, as if he were policing for the old world: Spain before it became a democracy. This casts a shadow over his character, as we doubt whether his motives are pure. He is also the more persuasive of the two, whether with suspects or with his own partner, he seems to enjoy manipulating people for his own pleasure. It also becomes obvious that he is not a happy man, he is in pain, and we hear nothing about his family. He displays a nonchalant attitude towards the case initially, but as it progresses his actions speak loudly.
Both characters have great arcs that are three-dimensional and complex.
The setting is well recognised, as the cars, haircuts and mustaches certainly point to the late 70’s/early 80’s. Also worth mentioning is the sublime photography. Not only is the entire movie immaculately captured, especially one scene where the camera tracks Pedro racing after a potential suspect, but what will stick in your mind is the amazing aerial shots. These images help to put the murder case in perspective to the problems the entire country is suffering from. This top-down aerial photography is most prevalent – and incredible – during the starting credits of the film. As a subtle bass line plays under soft acoustic guitars, we see the marshes of Andaluci. They look stunning, and the marshes serve as the perfect setting for majority of the movie to take place.
If you enjoy murder mysteries, Marshland is highly recommended as the Spanish flavour, and its political undertones, make this film stand out from others in the genre. Even if the genre isn’t your cup of tea, Marshland is still worth a watch thanks to its rich characters and the political backdrop of Spain in 1980.
4/5
19 Comments on “Marshland (La isla mínima) [2014]”
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imperfection is perfection 
Heard this was decent, will have to see if I can find it somehow. Good review.
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Its a great movie, I don’t normally like this genre but I really liked this one
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This sounds like the kind of film I’d like! Excellent write up and you do watch some weird shit don’t you 🙂 (in a good way!!!)
Wolf Creek 2 will be here Thursday!!! (I chose the cheapest snail mail postage I could get haha)
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ooooo I can’t wait to hear what you think of wolf creek 2. And you must tell me if you get the cricket joke that Mick makes in it. I laughed so much.
And thank you for the kind words 🙂
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You’re most welcome 🙂
I’ll watch it in the next couple of days, I can’t wait!!!! I’ll let you know about the cricket joke hee hee!! (I bet I get it!)
Even the front of the DVD made me chuckle “bloody Ripper” (I said that in an Oz accent as I wrote it)
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hehehehe BLUDDY RIPPAH!!!! 😛
I bet you will get the cricket joke, you’re a brit aren’t ya? You’ll get it. I fucking laughed so goddamn much. Mick is one of the best horror villains!!!
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I am a Brit yes!!! 🙂 (or a “pom” – is that what you call us? haha!)
AHHHHHHH I can’t wait to watch this!!! I’m seeing my dad for dinner after work otherwise I’d be BLUDDY RIPPAH-ING as soon as I’ve finished work!
I still remember that line from the first movie when he said “never know where I might…pop up!” I say it to myself sometimes lol (crazy times!!)
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HAHA YES, you pommie!! 😛
Can’t wait to hear your thoughts on the movie. I just love that Mick was on better Homes and Gardens hahahahaha. Great trivia 😛
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I just looked up some pics of him in it and it made me laugh so much!! He looks so different lol.
I’m watching Wolf Creek 2 this weekend without fail, I can’t wait. These types of movies are so much fun for me, I know I’ll enjoy it 🙂
I’ll tweet you when I watch it!!! 🙂
Bloody pommies!
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Hehehe. Can’t wait to hear what you think. I haven’t seen it since i saw it at the cinemas ages ago, I gotta buy it too methinks
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I got it pretty cheap on Amazon 🙂
I can’t wait to watch it too and giggle at the cricket joke!!!!! And tell you about the cricket joke!!!
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its a great joke if you get it. I fucking pissed myself laughing!!
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Was it the Shane Warne thing during 10 questions?!!! I know I sound like a nutjob but Mick kept making me laugh the whole way through the film!
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Yeah, “DON’T say SHANE FUCKING WARNE!!!” I almost died laughing, people in the theatre must have thought I was nuts.
Yeah Mick was hilarious all through out this. Fuck now I wanna see it again!!!
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OH, btw, are you watching The Ashes? 😀
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Oh no, I’m not! Sorry Jordy. My dad is, he loves cricket (more than football!) but I’d rather watch Family Guy 🙂 haha!
MMMMMMMMM’KAY!
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hehe, I’ve gotten sick of family guy.
Here’s a recommendation – if you like comedy cartoons, check out Rick and Morty. They are seriously FREAKIN AWESOME and honestly make every other cartoon seem reeeeally tame in comparison. If you haven’t already you should check it out!! The second season has just started
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