jotix100 "Mensaka", a 1998 film from Spain, was shown recently on a cable channel. We decided to take a chance that unfortunately did not pay off the way we thought in spite of some of the people that worked on the project. Basically it is the story of a group of friends involved in a musical band. They appear to be twenty-somethings that are trying to get recognition, while not conforming to what is expected of them. The film tries to give an impression what this aimless young people must go through in a society that has not been kind to them.There are some good appearances in the large cast, some of whom, like Tristan Ulloa and Lola Duenas, have gone to bigger, and better things. The direction of Salvador Garcia Ruiz tries to give a balanced account of the way young people are coping with their lives.

nbott This film is a somewhat disjointed affair for those of us who like our movies to be rational and to have either a happy or sad ending. This film is very direct and not very nice to the audience in some ways. But it is believable. As in real life, people don't have either happy or sad endings, they just have endings. At first, I found the film's characters to be simply one screwed up person after another floundering about and going nowhere. Finally, upon reflection, I found the film to be a study of what is truthful about a culture based on drugs and rock and roll. There are a lot of endings in this lifestyle that are what they are, neither sad or happy, just there. The film does not always explain why these people are where they are. I believe we are to assume they are where they are due to the lifestyle with its inherent flaws.The film is quite creative in its editing from scene to scene. The acting is all first rate. You really, after a few minutes, really do care about these people even though they all appear to be messed up in one way or the other. The film left me somewhat resigned to the truth that people can not be changed, that we all have to face the results of the decisions we make.

johnny99-4-2 For me that is the best film this year in Spain. The actors are great, and this history is so real, talking about the young people that dont have a job, money, they have to live with their parents, there are problems in the couple, is so real, and the music goes so fine.