20 Centimeters (20 Centimetres) (20 centímetros) (2005)

44% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(1,068 ratings)

A fantasy-prone transvestite who is looking to make the leap to transsexual status imagines that he is the star of a lavish universe punctuated by elaborate musical numbers in director Ramon Salazar's stylish sophomore feature. Adolfo (Monica Cervera) is a die-hard romantic who currently shares a… More A fantasy-prone transvestite who is looking to make the leap to transsexual status imagines that he is the star of a lavish universe punctuated by elaborate musical numbers in director Ramon Salazar's stylish sophomore feature. Adolfo (Monica Cervera) is a die-hard romantic who currently shares a cramped apartment with Tomas (Miguel O'Dogherty). Though he was born a man, Adolfo prefers to go by the name Marieta, and is currently stashing away the money needed to shed the male appendage that is holding him back from full womanhood. Sex-change operations don't come cheap, though, and in order to raise said money Marieta must first land a decent-paying job. Though one successful interview does find Marieta hired as a railroad-station cleaner, the exhausted worker immediately falls asleep on the job and is quickly fired for doing so. It is in his sleep that Marieta truly comes alive, though, and after falling asleep during a conversation at a nearby market, the dreamland Ginger Rogers is pulled to safety by handsome stock boy El Reponedor (Pablo Puyol). As an intensely sexual relationship begins to develop between Marieta and El Reponedor, the aspiring transsexual discovers that even if he himself doesn't appreciate his one defining male characteristic, there are others out there who most certainly do. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 53 min.
Directed By: Ramon Salazar
Written By: Ramon Salazar
Genres: Drama, Musical & Performing Arts, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 10, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Apr 12, 2005
Studio: TLA Releasing

Critic Reviews

Jonathan Holland, Variety
Showing a stylistic bravura and confidence rare among upcoming Spanish helmers, Ramon Salazar's campy 20 Centimeters is a self-regarding but vastly entertaining sophomore effort.
John Anderson, Newsday
Director Ramón Salazar, in only his second feature, distinguishes himself from others who so less effectively bend genres, and genders.
Scott Brown, Entertainment Weekly
Here's yet another self-consciously 'Almodóvarian' confection, studded with small odes to the glory of self-creation.
Laura Kern, New York Times
Size plays a major role in this brash, vivacious concoction of dark comedy, light drama and musical performance.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
Director (Ramon) Salazar is no Pedro Almodóvar, try as he might.
Drew Tillman, Village Voice
20 Centimeters is a flaccid bore.
David Noh, Film Journal International
It all makes one think that the Spanish film industry needs to seriously get hold of itself and stop with these slavish, sub-Almodóvarian forays into excess.
Jette Kernion, Cinematical
Every time 20 Centimeters feels a little slow or annoying, the quirky musical numbers kick in and their intense energy seems to make everything all right.
David Cornelius, DVDTalk.com
Salazar has managed to drain all life out of what should naturally be a most lively project.
Connie Ogle, Miami Herald
There's not much to savor in the way of plot, and the film aimlessly wanders through Marietta's life.
Laura Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
The real joy of 20 Centimeters is taking in the spectacle of the song and dance, from cabaret to new wave.
Beth Accomando, KPBS.org
Whether she's acting like Marilyn Manson or Marilyn Monroe, Monica Cervera delivers an audaciously over the top and delectably rich comic performance.
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Monica Cervera's fearless performance as the homely Marieta, whose movie-made dreams of glamour will never come true, is mesmerizing.
Timothy Knight, Reel.com
Unfortunately, Salazar's cinematic skills do not extend to the musical realm, for the song and dance numbers in 20 Centimeters are charm-deprived, uninspired, and ineptly directed and choreographed.
Boyd van Hoeij, european-films.net
Salazar might not have created a completely satisfying film, but if you are looking for a cinematic curiosity way out of the ordinary, 20 centímetros will definitely do the trick.
Ed Gonzalez, Slant Magazine
The film's story may be slight but Salazar's sparkling tribute to an alternative lifestyle and unconventional female beauty is liberating.

Read all 16 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Walter M

[font=Century Gothic]In "20 Centimeters," Marieta(Monica Cervera) is a narcoleptic pre-op transsexual prostitute who lives with Tomas(Miguel O'Dogherty), a dwarf who just inherited a cello from his aunt.(Well, there is something you do not see everyday.) In order to… More
[font=Century Gothic]In "20 Centimeters," Marieta(Monica Cervera) is a narcoleptic pre-op transsexual prostitute who lives with Tomas(Miguel O'Dogherty), a dwarf who just inherited a cello from his aunt.(Well, there is something you do not see everyday.) In order to buy opera tickets for the purpose of scalping them, Tomas borrows money from Marieta that she has saved for her operation.[/font] [font=Century Gothic][/font] [font=Century Gothic]At its heart, "20 Centimeters" is a touching movie about a friendship between two people living in an often hostile world. The movie owes a little to Dennis Potter in how it uses musical numbers to contrast Marieta's inner fantasy life with the harshness of the real world. And I was especially impressed that instead of shying away from Marieta's sexuality, the movie instead takes a fearless approach in depicting it as anything but passive.[/font]
Robert F

"A narcoleptic transsexual prostitute finds herself transported into a musical world in which she is the star whenever she falls asleep." Could this movie be any more AWESOME?