The story follows , a bitter, aging journalist and professor, and Ángela , a young, ambitious journalism student.
: Miguel's friend, whose apartment serves as the film's primary setting. Though he has only a brief appearance at the beginning and end, his presence as the absent owner of the space adds another layer of voyeuristic tension to the story.
The film is set in 1987, a transitional period in Spain just a decade after the restoration of democracy. Miguel (José Sacristán) is an accomplished, cynical newspaper columnist who represents the older generation of Spanish intellectuals. Ángela (María Valverde) is a talented, idealistic university student representing the future of the country. Madrid 1987 Imdb
: Despite the limited location, Trueba’s direction keeps the pacing tight, relying on the strength of the script and the actors' expressions.
The power dynamic constantly shifts. At one point, Miguel's persistent pressure for sex forces Ángela to defend herself, wrapping a towel around her waist to protect herself from his unwanted advances. Yet, despite his boorishness and her resistance, there is a palpable attraction. The conversation eventually turns more intimate, and after a moment of mutual vulnerability, they share a deep, passionate kiss that leads to a prolonged and explicit sexual encounter in the bathtub. The scene is unflinching, with Ángela even begging Miguel not to finish inside her before they both reach a simultaneous and intense climax. The aftermath of the act brings a new kind of tension, as they attempt to navigate the new reality of their relationship within the confines of the locked room. They eventually reconcile and grow even more intimate in their conversation, leading to a moment of confession where Miguel struggles to articulate exactly what he now feels for her. Their imprisonment is eventually discovered by a worker, who alerts Luis, who returns to free them. Ángela dresses quickly and leaves, forgetting her glasses behind. The film ends with Luis asking Miguel if he will see her again, a question left unanswered. The story follows , a bitter, aging journalist
The film serves as a meditation on the cultural and political transition of post-Franco Spain: Generational Conflict:
The bathroom is Spain. Locked in a decaying space, the old guard (Miguel) tries to lecture the youth about history, while the youth accuses the old guard of selling out. The nudity serves a crucial purpose: without clothes, there is no status, no uniform, no generation gap visible. Only flesh and ideas remain. The film is set in 1987, a transitional
Ultimately, Madrid, 1987 is a challenging and deeply intimate film that uses its simple premise to explore profound human questions about love, power, age, and legacy. It is a unique cinematic experience, for better or worse, and one that is certain to leave a lasting impression.
To understand why has lasting value on IMDb, you have to understand the context. The film is an allegory for Spain’s "Transition" (la Transición) following the death of Franco in 1975.
The Intimacy of Isolation: Exploring David Trueba’s Madrid, 1987 Madrid, 1987