20 Centimeters (20 Centimetres) (20 centímetros) (2005)
Average Rating: 5.9/10
Reviews Counted: 16
Fresh: 7 | Rotten: 9
No consensus yet.
Average Rating: 5.5/10
Critic Reviews: 7
Fresh: 2 | Rotten: 5
No consensus yet.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.9/5
User Ratings: 1,083
My Rating
Movie Info
A fantasy-prone transvestite who is looking to make the leap to transsexual status imagines that he is the star of a lavish universe punctuated by elaborate musical numbers in director Ramon Salazar's stylish sophomore feature. Adolfo (Monica Cervera) is a die-hard romantic who currently shares a cramped apartment with Tomas (Miguel O'Dogherty). Though he was born a man, Adolfo prefers to go by the name Marieta, and is currently stashing away the money needed to shed the male appendage that is
ADVERTISEMENT
All Critics (16) | Top Critics (7) | Fresh (7) | Rotten (9)
There's not much to savor in the way of plot, and the film aimlessly wanders through Marietta's life.
Top CriticShowing a stylistic bravura and confidence rare among upcoming Spanish helmers, Ramon Salazar's campy 20 Centimeters is a self-regarding but vastly entertaining sophomore effort.
Director Ramón Salazar, in only his second feature, distinguishes himself from others who so less effectively bend genres, and genders.
Here's yet another self-consciously 'Almodóvarian' confection, studded with small odes to the glory of self-creation.
Size plays a major role in this brash, vivacious concoction of dark comedy, light drama and musical performance.
Director (Ramon) Salazar is no Pedro Almodóvar, try as he might.
It all makes one think that the Spanish film industry needs to seriously get hold of itself and stop with these slavish, sub-Almodóvarian forays into excess.
Every time 20 Centimeters feels a little slow or annoying, the quirky musical numbers kick in and their intense energy seems to make everything all right.
Salazar has managed to drain all life out of what should naturally be a most lively project.
The real joy of 20 Centimeters is taking in the spectacle of the song and dance, from cabaret to new wave.
Whether she's acting like Marilyn Manson or Marilyn Monroe, Monica Cervera delivers an audaciously over the top and delectably rich comic performance.
Monica Cervera's fearless performance as the homely Marieta, whose movie-made dreams of glamour will never come true, is mesmerizing.
Unfortunately, Salazar's cinematic skills do not extend to the musical realm, for the song and dance numbers in 20 Centimeters are charm-deprived, uninspired, and ineptly directed and choreographed.
Salazar might not have created a completely satisfying film, but if you are looking for a cinematic curiosity way out of the ordinary, 20 centímetros will definitely do the trick.
The film's story may be slight but Salazar's sparkling tribute to an alternative lifestyle and unconventional female beauty is liberating.
Audience Reviews for 20 Centimeters (20 Centimetres) (20 centímetros)
Super Reviewer
Super Reviewer
Discussion Forum
There are no discussion threads for 20 Centimeters (20 Centimetres) (20 centímetros) yet.
Latest News on 20 Centimeters (20 Centimetres) (20 centímetros)
June 15, 2006:
"Puccini For Beginners" Opens 30th Frameline Film FestMaria Maggenti's "Puccini For Beginners" will open the 30th annual Frameline Film Festival...
What's Hot On RT
Bradley Cooper's Best Movies
Trailer for new Coen Bros movie
Fast & Furious cars gallery
Blockbusters ranked!
Featured on RT
- Total Recall: Bradley Cooper's Best Movies 23
- Parental Guidance: Epic and Beautiful Creatures 2
- Comic Book Movies You Can Watch Online 6
- In Pictures: The Cars of Fast & Furious 0
- Digital Multiplex: Warm Bodies and Aftershock 8
- Discover the Best-Reviewed Films in Summer Movie Scorecard 2013 0
- RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: The Last Stand and Side Effects 17
Top Headlines
-
Vin Diesel Says Fast & Furious 7 Will Take Place in L.A.
0
-
10 Things You (Probably) Don't Know About the Hangover Movies
1
-
Zack Snyder, Christopher Nolan, and David S. Goyer Talk Man of Steel
0
-
New Transporter Trilogy in the Works
0
-
Richard Linklater Plans "Spiritual Sequel" to Dazed and Confused
0
-
King of Kong Filmmaker Seeks Funding for Lost Limb Documentary
0
-
Which Film Franchise Has Been the Best for Female Characters?
6
Fresh Links
Featured
Star Trek Movies Ranked
HitFix offers their own take on the worst-to-best of the Enterprise crew's cinematic adventures.
Top 10 Star Trek Villains
Rolling Stone unveils the Enterprise's most irksome adversaries.
Celebrity Yearkbook Flashback
We'll bet you never realized how many stars were cheerleaders and high school athletes!
50 Most Classic Movie Moms
In celebration of Mother's Day, TimeOut offers up 50 iconic matriarchs from the big screen.
Weirdest Movie Siblings
From Twins to The Royal Tenenbaums, Moviefone explores cinema's oddest siblings.
Promos
Follow RT on Twitter!
Spice up your feed with hourly Tomatometer updates!
Foreign Titles
- 20 Centímetros (DE)
- 20 Centimeters (20 centimetros) (UK)
[font=Century Gothic][/font]
[font=Century Gothic]At its heart, "20 Centimeters" is a touching movie about a friendship between two people living in an often hostile world. The movie owes a little to Dennis Potter in how it uses musical numbers to contrast Marieta's inner fantasy life with the harshness of the real world. And I was especially impressed that instead of shying away from Marieta's sexuality, the movie instead takes a fearless approach in depicting it as anything but passive.[/font]