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The 4th Floor

The 4th Floor (2003)

October. 31,2003
|
6.9
| Drama Comedy Family

Three friends in wheelchairs welcome a new patient at a children's hospital. Growing up together. All emotions pass the revue. Friendship and hope survive all.

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Reviews

Lollivan
2003/10/31

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

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Tayloriona
2003/11/01

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

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Adeel Hail
2003/11/02

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

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Philippa
2003/11/03

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

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desi-ariani
2003/11/04

This movie is perfect. Everything is done so delicately, emotions are stirred into the movie in exact dose without any excess, and it left me with such good feeling. The director is such a genius. Each scene is meaningful, there is no such thing as a drag here. It's honest and realistic, funny and sad, inspiring not lecturing, it's such a blessing to chance upon this legend. Treat yourself to this movie and experience real film-making, not the usual Hollywood mumbo jumbo.It should win an Oscar, palm d'or, in fact every other prestigious award on the planet. It deserves 11 out of 10 ! Everybody should watch this true masterpiece to appreciate my comment.

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Carlos Martinez Escalona
2003/11/05

Even with the incredible modern findings in medicine, cancer still belies our power to do anything but hope for the best. And it's something no one ever takes lightly. Except if you're a teenager in dire straits.The story has already been told elsewhere in these comments, so I'll turn this one into a different approach: the realism of our films (I'm Spanish, live in Mexico and been for quite a time in Italy and the United States).When you watch a piece of work like Planta 4a, you're reminded that film is a medium where you print a story. And if that story is good, has human characters that make you feel related to them, is believable (even when the necessary suspension of disbelief just started as the lights go down) and, more than anything, puts you IN the story, film has reached its goal.The film industry in Spain, in Italy, in France, or elsewhere in Europe (including the former "Eastern Bloc" countries) is much more independent, more personal, more lively and direct than your typical season's blockbuster.With Planta 4a, Espinosa and Mercero have made a passionate masterpiece of compassion and sympathy out of a pretty serious subject: cancer.I expect people who read our comments (all of the comments expressed here), especially all who are more in sync with Hollywood films, to dare and explore what our Old World has to offer. I firmly believe that European cinema is, again, at its best since the late '90's. This film is no exception. You'll simply find a piece of life brought into your own living room. Enjoy!

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SaraFer_bsb
2003/11/06

Excellent! And it is better if you see it in Spanish...it is more real, and the jokes, etc, are more realistic and understanding. One of my favorite movies on the whole movies I have seen AWeSoMe.I like all the movies Juan Jose Ballesta was in, he is a good actor. Estopa, the band that goes in the end and starts to sing, is a really well-known band in Spain. They rock!And the dream of this poor guys was to met them..so hehe...it was so nice to see, and so good. I love Spanish movies...:P And that has nothing to do that I am Spanish. It's just that I think it is better than ANY American movie.It's a drama, yet first love, problems of teenage years. So greatly great.

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ollie501
2003/11/07

Planta 4aA Review by Ollie.Planta 4a is a truly remarkable film. A coming of age drama, dealing with first love, basketball, the usual childhood mischief, and above all, friendship. Basically a comedy, this will definitely bring laughter, and maybe a few tears along the way… I can't recall seeing a coming of age drama with such a refreshing honesty suffused with sadness and humour since 'Stand By Me'. Oh, and by the way… it just happens to be set in the cancer ward of a hospital.One could be forgiven at this point for thinking that this sets the scene as thoroughly depressing. It is anything but! The young lads suffer from cancer, and while that is never forgotten, nor overlooked, it never dominates the film, choosing to remain almost in the background. Director Antonio Mercero has managed to take a difficult subject, and bring true unflinching humour into the story, whilst never making light of the gravity of the illness the boys suffer from.Made all the more remarkable by the fact that it is based on a true story, that of Albert Espinosa, a long time sufferer, and survivor of cancer, it is little surprise to note that the film has already won numerous awards, and much critical acclaim. Lead actor Juan José Ballesta, himself a Goya award winner for his astonishing performance in 'El Bola' turns in a stunning performance, although the same is true of the rest of the young, and mostly hitherto unheard of, cast.Originally a theatrical piece, 'Los Pelones', or 'The Baldies', this adapts very well to the big and indeed small screen. 'The Baldies' is the name affectionately given to the young patients, by the hospital staff, for obvious reasons, and drawing from his own experiences, Espinosa conveys beautifully, the emotions and trials of growing up with cancer, and indeed just plain growing up. The film treats the individuals as exactly that; a group of young lads, finding their way in the world, their places in the social pecking order, and dealing with all the normal things teenage boys deal with. Never once are they treated as 'victims', and rightly so. They are ordinary teenagers, from different backgrounds, dealing with different emotions and problems, whilst all sharing one common factor, which never once overtakes the coming of age theme the film so eloquently portrays.It is directed with such simplicity and refreshing honesty, that Mercero has created a true masterpiece. Given the choice of subject matter, and the fact that this is, in essence, a comedy, a film like this is a very delicate balancing act. It would be all too easy for the balance of the film to sway at any point, and yet it never does. It walks a fine line between drama and comedy, never once faltering, and it is to be respected for that.Planta 4a contains several scenes which maybe unsuitable for younger viewers, however they are all in keeping with the overall tone of the film. There is nothing gratuitous or unnecessary; the strong language is appropriate given the age of the boys – teenage boys swear; it's just another part of the rich tapestry of their lives.This film is an absolute joy to watch – it will make you cry with laughter, and in places, will probably just make you cry. There is sadness, naturally. It would be unrealistic if there was none, and yet again, it never overwhelms the film.If you get the opportunity to see this, either at the cinema, or on DVD (which takes some finding, but it does exist), please, please do yourself a favour, and see it. Savour it – films like this are rare, but like any precious gem, finding them gives remarkable rewards. There are few films with cancer infused into the storyline, and even fewer that leave you with a warm and fuzzy feel-good factor. This film is one of those rare exceptions, which dares to take on a tough subject, and use it almost as a secondary theme. I dislike 'scoring' peoples work, but in this rare instance I am happy to make an exception – this garners a very well earned 10 out of 10!Reviewed by Ollie 6th December 2004.

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