"Km.0"
It's a hot, steamy summer day in August in the heart of Madrid - kilometer zero in Puerta del Sol. Fourteen people, from all walks of Spanish life, arrive at the center of the city and, without knowing it, are about to have their lives change in unexpected ways in "Km.0."
A bored, well-off housewife arranges to meet a handsome gigolo. An aspiring young director sets up an interview with an actress. A hooker makes plans to check out a new John. A gay guy arrives for a tryst with another. A young couple prepare for their pending marriage. The gigolo's brother comes to the zero point to make his own meeting. These disparate people will soon have their meetings but none are going to be what was planned.
"Km.0" is an incredibly complex effort by co-directors/writers Juan Luis Iborra and Yolanda Garcia Serrano as the helmers move their huge ensemble cast around the center of Madrid. While the film, initially, looks low budget, the story and the actors help to make this a richly told, old-fashioned drawing room kind of tale. In rapid manner, the various meetings are set up between each of the characters as they make their plans to rendezvous at Madrid's famous gathering point (kilometer zero) from where all distances in Spain are measured. Things even seem to start as planned when the older woman, Marga (Concha Velasco), meets her gigolo, Miguel (Jesus Cabrero). But, the others will soon find the best-laid plans often go awry - and here, to some amusing results.
The cast does a fine job of giving each character a unique personality, from the naïve enthusiasm of the young director (Carlos Fuentes), to the cynical loneliness of the prostitute (Elisa Matilla) and the power struggle between the actress (Merce Pons) and a veteran filmmaker (George Corraface) she tries to coerce into giving her a job. The rest of the performers give credible performances, too, though there are so many things going on that a scorecard to keep track would be a big help at times. There is even a guardian angel in the midst of this large and lively crew.
"Km.0" turns out to be a little gem of a movie that belies its low budget and delivers a complex, funny story of coincidence and crossing lives that has the same effect as an unexpectedly good meal. And, this one has 14 courses. I give it a B.
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