Now available on DVD
Cast:
Leonardo Sbaraglia as Quim
MarÃa Valverde as Bea
Directed by Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego
Review:
A lean and efficient thriller, King of the Hill works best if you watch it with as little information as possible. I will tread carefully here. While it isn’t shockingly original (it borrows from an immensely popular short story), there is a concerted effort to keep the viewer in the dark for as long as possible.
The set up is simple. Quim (Leonardo Sbaraglia) is going to pay a surprise visit to his ex-girlfriend. She will not take his calls. While traveling through the countryside he gets lost. After a beautiful young woman steals his wallet and beloved lighter following a brief bathroom encounter, he gives chase. In the middle of nowhere, someone shoots at his car. Soon he finds that the young woman, Bea (Maria Valverde), is stranded. Together they attempt to figure out what the hell is going on while also dodging bullets.
Director Gonzalo Lopez-Gallego manages to generate a significant amount of suspense. Though there is hardly any character development, we know just enough to pull for these two. The fact that the shooter or shooters are unseen and unknown magnifies the tension.
The location serves to enhance the proceedings. The scenery is often stunningly beautiful, but it is so vast and empty it ends up feeling ominous. You never know what is lurking around the corner or behind some trees. The surroundings remain frightening despite the fact that nearly every minute of the movie takes place during daylight.
When we do finally discover the culprit(s), it is definitely jarring. In retrospect you get the impression that you should have seen it coming. It seems like many movies recently have utilized a similar idea. Nevertheless, it remains disturbing and there is an excellent final showdown, set amidst long-abandoned and crumbling buildings.
King of the Hill is the perfect example of a director getting the most out of a simple concept. It is fast-paced, well-made and entertaining, ideal for home viewing.
