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The Grandfather (El Abuelo) (1998)

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All Critics
Top Critics

Average Rating: 5.7/10
Reviews Counted: 15
Fresh: 8 | Rotten: 7

No consensus yet.

Average Rating: 6.2/10
Critic Reviews: 5
Fresh: 4 | Rotten: 1

No consensus yet.

audience

liked it
Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 519

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Movie Info

Rodrigo de Arista (Fernando Fernan-Gomez) is an elderly Spanish gentleman who went to the United States in hopes of cashing in on the gold rush, but returned to Northern Spain with very little to show for his efforts. He discovers upon his arrival that his son has died, leaving behind a wife, Lucrecia (Cayetana Guillen-Cuervo) and two daughters. However, a note from his late son informs Rodrigo that he fathered one of the children, but the other is a bastard that his wife conceived in an

PG, 2 hr. 27 min.

Art House & International, Drama

Directed By: Jos� Luis Garci

Written By: Jos� Luis Garci

In Theaters: Oct 30, 1998 Wide

On DVD: Aug 1, 2000

Miramax

Cast

Fernando Fern�n G�mez
Rodrigo de Arista
Rafael Alonso
Pio Coronado
Cayetana Guillen Cuervo
Lucrecia Richmond
Agustin Gonzalez
Senen
Cristina Cruz
Doli
Alicia Rozas
Neli
Fernando Guillen
Francisco Piquer
Maria Massip
Jose Caride
Francisco Algora

Critic Reviews for The Grandfather (El Abuelo)

All Critics (18) | Top Critics (8) | Fresh (8) | Rotten (7)

A rueful, funny and deeply moving fable.

February 14, 2001 Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times

| Comment

Kevin Thomas

Los Angeles Times

Top Critic

An often lovely, often frustrating, old-school melodrama about love and honor.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution

| Comment

Steve Murray

Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Top Critic

A prettily shot soap opera that spends 2 hours telling a story that would be more effective in 90 minutes.

January 1, 2000 Comment

Lou Lumenick

New York Post

Top Critic

The slack pacing keeps the 'touching' from developing into something more deeply affecting.

January 8, 2010 Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com

| Comment

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

In the final stage of his life the elderly protagonist learns a thing or two about time, friendship and blood ties.

March 4, 2002 Full Review Source: Spirituality and Practice

| Comment

Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Spirituality and Practice

The actors are skilled, but defeated by the stereotyped characterizations and the leaden, clich�-ridden dialogue.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: culturevulture.net

| Comment

Arthur Lazere

culturevulture.net

Never fully quickens into a work of sustained emotion.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine

| Comment

Bridget Byrne

Boxoffice Magazine

Brilliant to look at and compellingly written.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: E! Online

| Comment

E! Online

Both a moving story of old age and a juicy portrait of skeletons in an aristocratic family closet.

January 1, 2000 Full Review Source: Film Journal International

| Comment

Doris Toumarkine

Film Journal International

More Critic Reviews

Audience Reviews for The Grandfather (El Abuelo)

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After a failed search for gold, the grandfather (Fernando Fern�n G�mez) returns from America to his Spanish village when his son dies. His intentions are as good as you might guess when the legitimacy of one of his granddaughters is in question. He seems more concerned with finding out the truth, than returning the

August 13, 2007

Andrew Nixon

The film is a beautifully rendered story about characters who were drawn by novelist Benito Perez from Cervantes book, Don Quixote. I'm afraid that this goes over the heads of American audiences, especially the sub-literati and game players. There is far too much here for the pathetic mentality of people who enjoy the

July 17, 2011

Michael Winn