Last Wishes (2023) by Victor Nores: The Unconventional Road to Reconciliation
- dailyentertainment95
- Jul 30
- 7 min read
Short Summary: Home is Where the RV Is Un largo viaje (A Long Journey) is a Spanish drama with comedic undertones that follows Violeta, a cynical and disillusioned woman in her 50s, and her estranged teenage son, Samuel. Forced into precarious living conditions in a caravan around a commercial complex in Madrid, their "long journey" becomes an intimate and transformative experience as they navigate their fractured relationship and the harsh realities of their new, unconventional home.
Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt16261970/
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/un-largo-viaje-2023
Detailed Summary: A Mother and Son's Unplanned Residency Un largo viaje explores a forced cohabitation that leads to unexpected personal growth.
The film introduces Violeta, a divorced woman in her 50s who is "fed up with life" and holds a distant relationship with her son, Samuel. She is portrayed as temperamental, irreverent, and often hostile, while Samuel is her opposite—more orderly but equally adrift.
Due to an eviction and Violeta losing her cleaning job, they find themselves suddenly homeless and with very little money.
Their new, unlikely home becomes an old caravan parked near a commercial complex in southern Madrid. This confined space forces them into constant proximity.
Despite the lack of resources and the challenging circumstances, their involuntary cohabitation in the caravan becomes a catalyst for a vital transformation for both characters.
Through their daily struggles and interactions, they are compelled to confront their strained relationship and try to rebuild their bond.
The film is presented as an atypical "road movie," as the characters technically don't leave Madrid, but their emotional journey is indeed a long and transformative one, focusing on themes of belonging and identity.
Director's Vision: Finding Humanity in Adversity Victor Nores, in his feature film debut, aims to portray a raw and honest look at social drama, tempered with a touch of humor.
Nores' vision is to present a social drama that "masks the bitterness with the acidic humor" emanating from the protagonist, Violeta, who remains strong and stoic in the face of adversity.
He is interested in the dynamic between parents and children, especially when those bonds are "out of focus."
The director effectively uses the confined space of the caravan and the setting around a commercial complex to highlight the characters' isolation and the unconventional nature of their "home."
Nores demonstrates a clear command of the camera and an ability to create an atmospheric, costumbrista tone, effectively conveying the daily struggles of his characters.
While critics note "good intentions," the director's challenge was to develop the drama further without falling into repetitive situations.
Themes: Relationship Repair, Resilience, and Unconventional Belonging Un largo viaje explores several poignant themes through its intimate narrative.
Mother-Son Relationship and Reconciliation: The central theme is the fractured relationship between Violeta and Samuel and their arduous journey towards understanding and mending their bond under duress.
Resilience in Adversity: The film highlights the strength and adaptability of the human spirit when faced with economic hardship and homelessness, particularly through Violeta's "hostile and imprudent" but resilient character.
Redefining "Home": Living in a caravan challenges conventional notions of home and belonging, forcing the characters to find stability and connection in an unconventional setting.
Social Commentary: It subtly touches upon themes of precarious living conditions and the challenges faced by individuals struggling economically in modern society.
Identity and Sense of Belonging: The film serves as an "allegory to the sense of belonging, to our identity as people and as entities of a society," as the characters strive to redefine themselves and their place.
Key Success Factors: Strong Performances in a Unique Setting Un largo viaje's success hinges on its character-driven approach and the compelling dynamic between its leads.
Powerful Lead Performances: Elisabet Gelabert as Violeta and Christian Checa as Samuel deliver "fine performances," making their roles credible and giving the drama personality. Their constant presence on screen is a significant strength.
Intriguing Premise: The concept of a mother and son being forced to live in a caravan around a commercial complex creates an unusual and compelling backdrop for their emotional journey.
Relatable Human Drama: Despite the specific circumstances, the film taps into universal themes of family dynamics, financial struggles, and the search for connection, making it accessible to a wide audience.
Authentic Atmosphere: Nores' ability to create a "costumbrista" (slice-of-life) atmosphere adds a layer of realism and depth to the social drama.
Debut Director's Promise: As Víctor Nores' first feature, the film demonstrates his potential, particularly in character direction and atmospheric creation.
Awards and Nominations: Recognition for a Promising Debut Un largo viaje has already received notable recognition, particularly for a debut feature film.
The film won Best Direction and Best Feature Film at the Festival de Cine de Madrid / PNR (España) 2023, signaling its strong critical reception in Spain. This is a significant achievement for Victor Nores' first long-form project.
Critics Reception: Good Intentions, Varied Impact Critics have generally acknowledged Un largo viaje's strong intentions and performances, though some noted areas for development.
COPE (Palomitas de Maíz): Praises the film's "good intentions" and the "fine performances" by Elisabet Gelabert and Christian Checa. It highlights Nores' "good ideas when it comes to staging and atmosphere," particularly its "costumbrista tone." However, it suggests the film "lacks further development of the drama" and sometimes "stays in the reiteration of situations without the plot growing."
El Español (El Cultural): Describes it as a "social and family odyssey of a shopping center," noting its atypical "road movie" genre where the true journey is internal. It commends Violeta's "notable" portrayal as a "hostile and imprudent" character who remains "strong and stoic," a departure from typical vulnerability. It also acknowledges the film's "descafeinado social drama" which uses "acidic humor."
Filmaffinity: One review states that "Víctor Nores' direction offers an intimate and close look at the relationship between Violeta and Samuel, skillfully capturing moments of tension and tenderness." However, it also notes that "the film suffers from an irregular pace."
Cineconn: Praises the film's "very good" protagonist, Violeta, for being "unpleasant," "sharp, ironic and prickly," making her "unintentionally funny" and realistic. They also appreciate the contrast with the more orderly Samuel. However, they felt it "has a bit of everything, both good and bad, although it fails to detach itself from the feeling of unreality that ends up enveloping some of these proposals."
Overall Summary: Critics generally commend Un largo viaje for its compelling character dynamics, strong acting, and its efforts to portray social realities with a nuanced touch of humor. While its emotional depth and pacing were sometimes questioned, its artistic intentions and the strong debut by Victor Nores have been widely recognized.
Reviews: A Believable Portrait of Struggle and Connection General reviews of Un largo viaje often highlight its realistic portrayal of a challenging mother-son relationship and the circumstances that force them together.
IMDb: Currently holds a rating of 5.3/10, suggesting a mixed but leaning positive reception from general viewers, who might appreciate its realism and emotional core despite any perceived pacing issues.
Prime Video (ES): Lists the film with basic details, indicating its availability to a wider audience through streaming.
Filmweb: Shows an average rating, further indicating a decent level of engagement from those who have seen it.
Overall Summary: Reviews generally confirm that the film is a believable drama about human connection and resilience. While it might not be a crowd-pleasing blockbuster, it resonates with audiences who appreciate a more grounded and character-driven story.
Release date on streaming: November 10, 2023 (Prime Video) Un largo viaje was released on streaming platforms, specifically Prime Video, on November 10, 2023.
Theatrical Release: November 10, 2023 (Spain) Un largo viaje had its theatrical release in Spain on November 10, 2023.
Why to watch this movie: For a Raw and Relatable Family Drama Un largo viaje offers a compelling watch for those seeking a character-driven drama about family, resilience, and unconventional living.
Authentic Performances: Elisabet Gelabert and Christian Checa deliver compelling and believable portrayals of a strained mother-son relationship.
Gritty Realism with Heart: The film offers an unflinching look at economic hardship and the challenges of surviving on the margins, but also finds moments of humor and human connection.
Unique Setting: The caravan and commercial complex setting provide a fresh backdrop for a story of self-discovery and familial reconciliation.
Exploration of Complex Relationships: If you enjoy films that delve into the nuanced and sometimes difficult dynamics between family members, this film offers a thoughtful exploration.
Supporting Emerging Talent: It's an opportunity to see the feature film debut of director Victor Nores, who shows promise in handling social dramas with a distinct voice.
What Movie Trend film is following: Social Realism Drama / Micro-Budget Character Study Un largo viaje fits within the Social Realism Drama trend, particularly films that act as Micro-Budget Character Studies. This trend focuses on depicting the lives of ordinary people facing socioeconomic challenges, often with a raw, unglamorous aesthetic. These films prioritize character development and emotional honesty over complex plots or special effects, frequently using limited locations and a small cast to create an intimate and authentic feel. The "road movie" aspect, despite being stationary, contributes to this sense of a contained, personal journey.
What Big Social Trend is following: The Precariat and the Redefinition of Home Un largo viaje directly addresses the significant social trend of the growing precariat class and the redefinition of "home" in the face of economic instability. As more individuals and families struggle with insecure employment, rising housing costs, and financial precarity, the film's portrayal of Violeta and Samuel living in a caravan reflects a harsh reality for a segment of society. It highlights the challenges of maintaining dignity and familial bonds when traditional notions of stability are shattered, prompting reflection on what constitutes "home" and "security" in increasingly uncertain times.
Final Verdict: A Modest Yet Meaningful Journey Victor Nores' Un largo viaje is a modest but meaningful debut that offers a raw and often poignant look at a fractured mother-son relationship forced to heal under extraordinary circumstances. While it may not break new cinematic ground, its strength lies in the authentic performances of its leads and its grounded portrayal of resilience in the face of adversity. For viewers who appreciate intimate, character-driven dramas that reflect contemporary social realities, this "long journey" provides a quiet yet impactful exploration of family, survival, and the enduring human spirit.
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