Something to Remember Me By

The wonderful Fernando Fernán Gómez offers yet another marvelous performance in his illustrious career as Mateo, a man caught in an emotional struggle between his daughter and his grandson. Long separated from her husband, Irene has pretty much raised her son David on her own. Now a brilliant architecture student, David shows every sign of fulfilling all his mother’s hopes and dreams for his future. Then one day David meets Clara and soon they are talking about moving in together. Irene doesn’t understand David’s attraction; Clara works as a checkout cashier in a supermarket, and as far as Irene can see has almost nothing in common with her son in terms of his interests or ambitions. Inevitably, Mateo is drawn into the situation as an emotional buffer for all concerned— until something happens that forces everyone to rethink their attitudes and positions. Ferreira, who has previously directed two fine thrillers, shows considerable skill in shaping this very contemporary melodrama, creating a number of rich, complex characters dealing with feelings that often go against their better instincts.