Self-important, over-dramatic, uninspired.

Intense, gripping, stylish and poignant

Disappointment for a huge fan!

.Like the great film, it's made with a great deal of visible affection both in front of and behind the camera.

Intense and heart-rending drama about a couple who accepts to care an old friend with unpredictable consequences . In childhood and youth, the three were "the inseparables" , three common and well loved partners . They are : Luisa (Victoria Abril) who married Ángel (Imanol Arias) , then two years later, she left him to marry Ramiro (Antonio Valero). After fifteen years , Ángel reappears back from South America, now as a beggar and unfortunate man . Luisa finds him many years after their separation selling paper handkerchiefs on the road and she shelter to ill Angel . As Luisa protects him , in spite of Ramiro's objections , and she takes Ángel into their luxurious house . Ramiro is an embittered as well as wealthy dentist , nowadays Angel and Ramiro have shifted from best friends to real enemies . Ramiro wishes he can wait out Ángel's declining health , and Luisa wants to heal Ángel through force of will . This interesting as well as intimate story is a passionate retelling and a touching triangular drama , including strong sex scenes . Vicente Aranda also writes the script along with Alvaro Del Amo based on a story by also filmmaker Pedro Costa and being filmed in his usual formal and stylistic scholarship , without leaving a trace the thought-provoking issues , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement . The main problem has to face "Intruso" or ¨Intruder¨, beyond not being able to avoid falling into a claustrophobic drama is precisely derived from the coldness of its staging, which eventually become monotonous and heart-breaking over eighty minutes and some of footage . Good acting by trio protagonist such as Imanol Arias as Angel , a man now broke and ill , Antonio Valero as Ramiro , the bitter , resentful as well as deceived husband and Victoria Abril as Luisa who wants to be in love with both , she overcome with sentimentality and takes Angel under her protection . Spotless pictorial though dark cinematography by Jose Luis Alcaine , Pedro Almodovar's usual, he carries out a photography with juicy atmosphere , being filmed in Santander , though wastes the scenario of this gorgeous city , being mostly shot at interior . Jose Luis Alcaine is deemed to be one of the best Spanish cameraman with a long and prestigious artistic career . Furthermore , a willingness , almost perfect of the elements of each shot , every sequence, every space . Sensitive and rousing musical score by Jose Nieto , including an enjoyable leitmotif . The flick had limited success , as gross 112,622,758 pesetas .The motion picture was rightly produced by three great producers , Carlos Vasallo , Pedro Costa and Enrique Cerezo ; being professionally directed in his particular style by veteran filmmaker Vicente Aranda . He directed a series of award-winning movies firmly establishing him as one of the best Spanish filmmakers . His usual film editor is own wife , Teresa Font . Vicente is an expert on literary adaptations , he has been working from the 60s with ¨Fata Morgana¨ , Las Crueles¨ , ¨Novia Ensangrentada¨ , ¨Clara es el precio¨ , among others . His greatest successes were intense dramas with plenty of sex such as ¨Amantes¨, ¨Pasion Turca¨ , ¨Si Dicen Que Cai¨ , ¨Intruso¨ , ¨Tiempo de Silencio¨ , ¨Carmen¨ , along with a delinquency tale : ¨El Lute¨I and II starred by Imanol Arias , his fetish actor and specially the historical story titled ¨Juana La Loca¨.

MINOR SPOILERS AHEADThis is the story of a strange friendship- two men fighting for a woman who wants to love them both. Old friends end up resenting and killing each other. It is intense and dark but also witty. If you are feeling depressed when you see it, you appreciate it even more (believe me, I know). And last but not least, Victoria Abril is as tempting as ever. Overall, not a masterpiece but pretty enjoyable. 8/10