TL;DR – A beautiful story about families and what you would do for them.

Score – 4 out of 5 stars

Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene

Review –

What would you do for the people you love? Would you break the law? Would you fight? Would you run? Would you hand them in to the police to get them help? In many ways, this is one of those few things that break down the usual barriers that we put up, that define the clear right and wrong. Today we look at a film that explores that boundary and does not hold back.

So to set the scene, Héctor (Biel Montoro) has a flexible relationship with the law, in that he has a very regard system of right and wrong and if it means stealing a heater to help his Abuela Cuca (Lola Cordón) who’s heater has not been fixed in weeks then that is fine. Things probably would have been fine but his brother Ismael (Nacho Sánchez) let the authorities know. Sentenced to two years in juvenile detention Héctor constantly escapes to see how far he can get. Struggling to find a way forward the centre staff give him a dog to help train which he calls Sheep. All is fine and he is only a month before release when one day Sheep is gone, he has done such a good job that Sheep was adopted and that triggers a countrywide chase for closure.

One thing that is abundantly clear right from the start is that the filmmakers know how to capture an audience. The slow reveal of the theft of the motorcycle, to the shopping centre, and more. Each step reveals more and more about Héctor up to the big reveal at the end right before he is sent to detention. This deliberate style of filmmaking can be found throughout the film and it really brings you into this world in a way that it would not have otherwise.

While this is an escape film, and there is the constant threat that at any moment they will be caught out. This is more a story about family and the things we do for family even when they are really, really annoying. For a film like this to work you need to believe in the relationship between the family members are real and you do here. Biel Montoro and Nacho Sánchez have an amazing bond that works through the conflict, through all the problems, even though they appear to be oil and water. It is here where the film finds its joy and its pain and it feels real and that is a real credit to the actors and the writers.

As far as the story goes, the film is not revolutionary but then it didn’t need to be. This was a story about the characters, not necessarily the journey. It is their experiences, their frustrations, their feuds, and resolutions. It is here where the film really shines and draws on those emotional heartstrings. This is all accompanied by a beautiful musical soundtrack a haunting combination of guitar and piano. It also helps that the film drives across the beautiful Spanish countryside.

In the end, do we recommend Seventeen? Yes, yes we do. It is a beautiful film about relationships, with a strong cast, and an emotional core that is absolute. It was a true joy to watch.   

By Brian MacNamara: You can follow Brian on Twitter Here, when he’s not chatting about Movies and TV, he’ll be talking about International Relations, or the Solar System.

Have you watched Seventeen?, let us know what you thought in the comments below, feel free to share this review on any of the social medias and you can follow us Here. Check out all our past reviews and articles Here, and have a happy day. 

Credits – All images were created by the cast, crew, and production companies of Seventeen
Directed by – Daniel Sánchez Arévalo
Written by – Daniel Sánchez Arévalo & Araceli Sánchez
Music by – Julio de la Rosa
Cinematography by – Sergi Vilanova
Edited by – Miguel Sanz Esteso
Production/Distribution Companies – Atípica Films & Netflix
Starring – Itsaso Arana, Iñigo Aranburu, Jorge Cabrera, Carolina Clemente, Lola Cordón, Mamen Duch, Chani Martín, Biel Montoro, Aaron Porras, Nacho Sánchez & Kandido Uranga with Curro, Oveja & Gnomo
Rating – Around an Australia: M;