Biutiful

A big hit on the awards circuit last year, this Spanish film is so multi-layered that it’s hard to sum up in such a short space. The story centres around a single father, Uxbal (Javier Bardem), who’s juggling a terminal illness, being a parent, running a business helping illegal immigrants, and his unstable ex-wife. He can also communicate with souls who have passed on, which is not always convenient when you’ve got a whole lot of other things to worry about.

The journey is poignant and emotional and expressed beautifully through Bardem, who is an absolute joy to watch. This is one that rates high on must must-see list.

Rating: 5 outta 5.