Volverás

The great virtue in this film is the persistent sense that something pretty bad is on it's way. Volverás deals with danger in good shape, due to the focused performances by the main characters, two brothers who meet again several years later. One is a decaying gambler who ran out of luck (Carlos), and the other one is an aspiring architect who's gonna leave Spain soon for a scholarship in Los Angeles.

Since the very first scene in the movie, showing Carlos (the elder) pushing the limits of fear in his younger brother Nacho, the parameters are well defined as the risky one and the loving sibling whom adores, respects and obey him blindfold. By the time they get together as adults some crazy things has passed in their lives, and this sets the fuse in a dynamite that comes from the mix of two volatile elements attached by blood. Carlos owes a lot of money, Nacho is still living with their wealthy parents, and both are engaged in strange relationships; when destiny make them cross paths, the clouds of tragedy comes even blacker.

Volverás is a strong thriller because it works as a noir fable about true identity, brotherhood, and sticking to a risky self chosen life. Also, the twists in the plot are clever enough to capture our attention and even if the storyline doesn't restrain itself from being a little bit predictable -but never boring-, is the ever present feeling of something terrible coming along that makes this movie one above the rest of many others and worth watching.