I love and highly recommend this gem of a film. I have seen it twice in the past year and enjoyed it both times. As someone else commented here, it is never boring and I agree there are some deep lessons of life touched upon. I really love the main actress Magaly Solier. Marcela's struggles in life are ones that many people go through and she shows great strength and independence. It is a quiet film, but not at all slow. I read a review online that called Solier's performance too passive and I absolutely disagree. I am grateful to KCLS for featuring this film on their home page a year or so ago, or I never would have known about it. I was even inspired to buy and start working on a jigsaw puzzle, because of this film, something I haven't done since I was a kid. Give this this lovely film a try.

This movie really blew me awayyy...awayyyy...Somebody had a good comment, below, "so arty" yeah that said it and that is right! So arty without being too arty. It has a lot of practical, valuable lessons about life, and it hits home with the heart. You will LOVE this movie I guarantee it. Unless you don't have the patience to sit through the film about a young financially struggling woman caring for an elderly man...But it is NEVER boring. Never. It has its side-plots, like her husband cheating on her, and it is ALWAYS always always a hoot to watch. Marcella has a sly sense of humor that will warm your heart, and her friendship with the prostitute, whose name is Puri, will similarly, probably make you laugh and smile. An all-around "feel-good" film, it never never fails to spew forth good vibes, and if you don't like it, you must be a "glass-half empty" person, because this film is a true reaffirmation about the beauty of Life. :))

Watch it!

Marcela, una mujer inmigrante con problemas económicos, encuentra un trabajo como cuidadora de Amador, un señor mayor que no puede moverse de la cama. Marcela obtiene el dinero que necesita y Amador disfruta de la compañía que le ha negado su propia familia. La conexión especial que tienen se trunca prematuramente cuando Amador fallece. Desesperada por perder su empleo, Marcela se enfrenta a una decision difícil.

VERY arty - good ending!

With her marriage faltering, the rent overdue and, unbeknownst to her husband, a baby on the way, new immigrant Marcela finds herself in dire straits. Barely eking out a living with the money raised by her husband’s second-hand flower sales Marcela is understandably delighted to take on the job of babysitting the curmudgeonly old Amador while his daughter is away on business. For 500 Euros a month all she has to do is see to his basic needs, hand out a few pills and turn a blind eye when his favourite hooker visits every Thursday. Unfortunately a few days into this plum job the old man suddenly drops dead leaving Marcela in a quandry; if she reports his death she loses her job. With no one to turn to she devises a most macabre plan to hide his passing and maintain her employment. Of course the best laid plans often overlook the unexpected and complications soon arise when a nosey neighbour notices a peculiar odour and Amador’s daughter pays a surprise visit. What could have played out as a simple dark comedy (it is very funny after all) instead reaches for wholly unexpected depths. Laced with rich metaphors and deceptively ordinary banter (you’ll never look at a jigsaw puzzle the same way again) Fernando Léon de Aranoa’s film foils our expectations and proves almost impossible to categorize. Touching on issues both spiritual and secular, deeply tragic and personally liberating, Amador saves its final ace for the end; a cafe encounter between Marcela and Amador’s daughter of such deadpan practicality it had me giggling throughout the final credits.

Amador is an older man, no longer ambulatory, who needs a person to help him with his meds and meals, etc. Marcela, a young woman, needs a job to help pay for her family bills and gets a job assisting Amador. Amador and his woman “friend” teach Marcela some of the lessons of life. Amador’s daughter and spouse are found to be some pretty special people. Especially about money problems. Look for the candy wrapper thrown to the floor by Amador’s son-in-law. Now that is a real revelation if you have been paying attention.

Its a good show... Interesting topic. Unusual.. Its a sad story throughout the movie.. Slow at times.. Marcela is faced with the life-altering decisions.. She wants to do the right thing by everyone.. and she manages to do so with respect and kindness..

An interesting, little film from Spain that deals with life, death, marriage, love, and a whole spectrum of other human emotions. Marcela is pregnant but trapped in a very unhappy marriage. She wanted out, and a short sting as a support work to an ailing, and dying, old man put a spin on her life that eventually led to her final resolution to be free. This is one slow film but I enjoyed the story and the way it was told.

Enjoyable, specially the end.