esh04676 This film is a delight and somewhat of a surprise for its frank treatment of all kinds of sexual relationships. Each character has his or her unique adventure seeking companionship,love, or excitement during one steamy afternoon and evening in Madrid, the unifying element being the meetings at the kilometer zero marker in one of the city's plazas, from which distances to other locations in Spain are measured. There are various mishaps ranging from mistaken identities to a minor auto accident. Everything has a delightfully light touch, and this viewer empathized easily with all the characters in their amorous adventures, ranging from the neglected middle-aged wife who hires a gigolo to the young backpacker who wants to help a prostitute gain more self-confidence. The use of a wallet photograph to establish a crucial identity reminds one of Restoration comedies in which a portrait in a locket is so important to the plot. In so many ways Km.0 is very traditional and in other ways, as in its frank depiction of a variety of sexual relationships, very modern. My one criticism of the film is the relegation of Tristan Ulloa to a role in which the talents he displayed in Sex and Lucia are not utilized.

jaydmac I rented this twice. I didn't get the chance to see it the first time I brought it home. Something about it nagged me, so I took again. What a truly enjoyable film. A few times I could see around the corners of the script, but many times I was pleasantly surprised. There's not as much of the Madrid scenery as I would have liked to have seen as I've never been there. But beautiful faces made up for beautiful places.The story line where the older woman meets a male prostitute was an interesting direction, though the results were obvious. The portion about the dancer and the man he meets didn't offer enough meat to be really compelling, so I couldn't give it a 10.Regardless of the flaws, it was just plain enjoyable. I really liked it a lot. Take this one home!

David Low-budget and light, KM 0 is - nonetheless - a refreshing blend of drama and romantic comedy. Combining a sprawling Altman-size cast, a touch of Almodovar camp, and a Frank Capra sweetness, the film follows the interaction and evolving connections between 14 strangers from various backgrounds who all share a coincidental meeting place at the center of Madrid, during a highly symbolic heat wave. The varied situations they find themselves in are fairly cut-and-dried at first, but each evolves in an unusual direction, and at least a few of the characters (the younger gay man, the middle aged woman) are quite fascinating and endearing. This attention to detail elevates this charming but messy film above the usual romantic comedy, and the Capra-esquire twist near the film's end was pleasantly unexpected. With the exception of the middle-aged woman, I found the male characters to be much more well developed. The fact that a couple of the women preserve connections to men who treat them badly seemed highly unnecessary - though perhaps realistic, it didn't really work as a critique of sexual politics, and this threw a sour note into an otherwise breezy and pleasant film.But overall there's plenty of charm here, and I found KM 0 to be mostly a treat.

ElianaM This hilarious and hip farce follows the 14 strangers of various classes, ages and sexual preferences, each of whom has a date with the other at 6 PM at Km. 0 (the exact center) of Madrid. The heat is unbearable (hint- metaphor). After a romp through the most outrageous (and comical) situations between 6 PM and the proverbial midnight hour (another metaphor), each will find the person/significant other he/she wants. This ideal companion may change (even a few times) during the course of the evening. But by midnight, Mr. or Ms. Right may not be the original date.So, the plot's not too original...perhaps too many corny metaphors? But that only adds to the satirical appeal of this farce. Its real forte' are the ingenious situations, the linkage of the characters, and the location for absolutely screwball, sexual, and crass humor, which only a tolerant and modern Latin European capital affords. Great comedy!