PAINLESS

PAINLESS

(A.k.a. INSENSIBLES)

Two stories run concurrently, before inevitably linking together.

The first is set in 1931. A small Catalonian village has been plagued by mysterious tragedies for several months. Eventually, a group of children are rounded up and studied by the town's officials. It transpires that these kids are incapable of feeling pain. As a result they've inadvertently caused suffering and even death to others.

The authorities decide that the only decent thing to do is lock the kids up in a convent on an island resembling Devil's Rock. The nippers are bound in straitjackets and muzzled for their own safety.

From this oppressive setting, a tender friendship develops between young Ines (Bruna Montoto) and Benigno (Ilias Stothart). Ines has already accidently caused the hideous burning of her sister in an effective scene which vaguely recalls DON'T DELIVER US FROM EVIL; Benigno has horrified his mother upon her discovery of him chewing obliviously on his own flesh. Both are baffled by their experiences, and distraught to have been removed from their families.

Under the rule of icy Dr Carcedo (Ramon Fontsere) and inquisitive Dr Holzmann (Derek de Lint), Benigno and Ines have little to live for in their individual tiny cells. However, thanks to a secret tunnel Benigno has burrowed connecting his cell to hers, they manage regular clandestine meetings which get them through the worst of times.

Running parallel to this, is a story set in the present. This centres on workaholic neurosurgeon David (Alex Brendemuhl). We're introduced to him as he drives towards a holiday destination with his heavily pregnant partner Anais (Irene Montala). They crash en route.

When David next wakes, he learns that Anais was killed in the accident but the baby was saved. Furthermore, his colleague and former mistress Judith (Silvia Bel) reveals that tests on the injured David have unearthed evidence of leukaemia. Treatment is necessary otherwise he will die within months.

After initial reticence, David realise he must protect himself in order to care for his son. But there's a snag: the intense radiotherapy required to save his life will destroy his bone marrow. The only eligible donors are his parents, who he hasn't spoken with in years.

Biting the bullet, David arranges to meet with his folks and ask a very tall favour of them. Alas, this reunion brings with it a revelation which leaves David frantically searching for more answers - a quest that leads him to stumble upon the facts of the 1931 story, and discover how he himself is linked to it.

PAINLESS comes from director Juan Carlos Medina (wonder if his pals call him "Funky Cold"?), who previously gave us the well-regarded shorts MAUVAIS JOUR and RAGE. He co-wrote the screenplay to this feature debut with Luiso Berdejo.

It all starts very promisingly with high production values and a clear stylistic distinction between the two timelines, both of which offer intriguing scenarios. An atmosphere and look akin to THE DEVIL'S BACKBONE can be evidenced in the 1930s footage, while the modern story boasts an autumnal sheen similar to something like JULIA'S EYES.

Performances seem strong to begin with, until you realise as events progress that there really is no connection between David and his audience. The film essentially becomes his tale, but unfortunately Brendemuhl is a little too aloof to elicit empathy. All others in the present-tense setting are bit-players; the most impressive members of cast are the kids from the 1930s segments.

The film is light on horror, despite the misleading promotional artwork and the fact that the DVD cover features a glowing one-liner from FrightFest's Alan Jones. You'll be sorely disappointed if you go into this expecting any kind of spook show. It works best as a thriller (a mild one at that), with an involving premise and just enough engagement value to keep viewers watching until the inevitable twist finale.

Ultimately, though, PAINLESS looks great and boasts all the slick production values expected from a Multiplex-standard genre flick, but lacks the set-pieces and strong characterisation to appeal on such a broad scale.

Metrodome release PAINLESS onto UK DVD fully uncut (there isn't really anything to censor), in its original 2.35:1 aspect ratio.

The screener disc provided for review housed only the film, without menus or extras.

Still, the film looked very nice in a clean and sharp 16x9 transfer which accentuated the rich colours and deep contrasts well.

Solid 2.0 audio came in a mix of Spanish and Catalan (with the odd bit of English and German thrown in), along with optional English subtitles. Kudos to whoever handled the subtitle translation here - there is some fucking big medical jargon coming out of characters' mouths in the film's first half!

Metrodome's retail DVD is likely to be a vanilla affair, but if the film looks and sounds anything like it does on this test disc, it would still make for a worthwhile budget purchase.

PAINLESS is an interesting, attractive drama-thriller with lots of polish and thoroughly competent aesthetic values. But the storyline peters out by focusing on the wrong plot strand, the film's lack of heart further casting a shadow over its undeniable technical strengths.

Review by Stuart Willis


 
Released by Metrodome
Region 2
Rated 18
Extras :
see main review
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