Well, I had great expectations and really wanted to like this film. When it started, I was feeling like "yeah, that's it, go, dude, go!" But after a while the film starts losing it's composure and sinks in all ways. The characters are a bit too much, overacting at times, you can picture the director behind the camera saying "ok, once more, but this time push it even harder so even the dumbest viewer can get your character". The drama is almost too much, and the music...well, weird at times, there was a point when I really expected Lady Gaga's Telephone or sg like that. Most of them just doesn't fit, the film could have been much more powerful with a completely different set of songs and music.
To also tell a couple of positives: the scenery is great, the story (though not too complicated) is absolutely believable and the main character is really good, cool and authentic. I really liked the play of Martin Sheen and the way he treated situations and weird people.
The "truth-factor" of the film is also good, all they tell and show about El Camino is quite realistic. I wish they had gone a bit more towards the documentary side and left out a couple of dummy dialogs and part of the drama.
All in all, the film is not that bad, but takes an interesting curve. The first 15-20 minutes is very strong then it starts descending all the way to the middle and yes, with the gypsy fiesta it hits rock bottom. Yeah, I get the message, stereotyping is bad, poor gypsies have this untruthful bad reputation, while in reality they are honest, loving parents and make big parties...well, you come to Europe believing this and you will be robbed and stabbed in 20 seconds :) That part is science fiction, filmmakers should have put the "Don't try this at home" sign somewhere. Or like Bear Grylls..."we are professionals, the crew is here to help me out".
Anyway. After the middle the film gains momentum again and the last 15-20 minutes is again quite strong and honest. After all I think it deserves a 7, but could have been much better. I really expected that by the end of the film I would feel the urge to go home and pack my backpack. Nope.
To also tell a couple of positives: the scenery is great, the story (though not too complicated) is absolutely believable and the main character is really good, cool and authentic. I really liked the play of Martin Sheen and the way he treated situations and weird people.
The "truth-factor" of the film is also good, all they tell and show about El Camino is quite realistic. I wish they had gone a bit more towards the documentary side and left out a couple of dummy dialogs and part of the drama.
All in all, the film is not that bad, but takes an interesting curve. The first 15-20 minutes is very strong then it starts descending all the way to the middle and yes, with the gypsy fiesta it hits rock bottom. Yeah, I get the message, stereotyping is bad, poor gypsies have this untruthful bad reputation, while in reality they are honest, loving parents and make big parties...well, you come to Europe believing this and you will be robbed and stabbed in 20 seconds :) That part is science fiction, filmmakers should have put the "Don't try this at home" sign somewhere. Or like Bear Grylls..."we are professionals, the crew is here to help me out".
Anyway. After the middle the film gains momentum again and the last 15-20 minutes is again quite strong and honest. After all I think it deserves a 7, but could have been much better. I really expected that by the end of the film I would feel the urge to go home and pack my backpack. Nope.