Mondays in the Sun (Los Lunes al sol) (2002)

80% of critics liked it
(69 reviews)
85% of users liked it
(4,777 ratings)

Set in the Spanish port city of Vigo, Fernando León de Aranoa's Mondays in the Sun is a touching drama about a group of working-class men who find themselves suddenly unemployed and unwanted in their middle age. Laid off from the local shipyard, the men spend their days at the town bar, where they… More Set in the Spanish port city of Vigo, Fernando León de Aranoa's Mondays in the Sun is a touching drama about a group of working-class men who find themselves suddenly unemployed and unwanted in their middle age. Laid off from the local shipyard, the men spend their days at the town bar, where they reminisce, philosophize, and commiserate about their current state. Gruff Santa (a bearded Javier Bardem) puts up a tough front, refusing to sink into self-pity, and occasionally pricking his friends' hopes. Morose José (Luis Tosar) openly worries about his wife, whom he fears might leave him. That seems to have been the fate of Amador (Celso Bugallo), the oldest of the bunch, who keeps reassuring everyone that his wife will be back any day now from her trip. Meanwhile, Lino (José Ángel Egido) refuses to give up hope of employment, going to interview after interview for jobs being offered to applicants half his age. Presiding over the glum bunch is Rico (Joaquín Climent), the bar owner and the men's co-worker from the shipyard days. Despite its depressing subject and downbeat mood, Mondays in the Sun was a big winner at the 2003 Goya Awards, Spain's equivalent of the Oscars, winning Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor for Bardem. The film was also Spain's surprise representative for the 2003 Oscars' Foreign Language film category, nabbing the distinction over Pedro Almodóvar's critically lauded Talk to Her. ~ Elbert Ventura, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 55 min.
Directed By: Fernando León de Aranoa
Written By: Fernando León de Aranoa
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Jul 25, 2003 Wide
On DVD: Nov 18, 2003
Studio: Lions Gate Films

Critic Reviews

Jay Boyar, Orlando Sentinel
In these days of cutbacks and belt-tightening, its story has a strong resonance.
Jeff Strickler, Minneapolis Star Tribune
A small, intimate film that moves viewers with its passion.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
Midway, Mondays in the Sun becomes as dull as a day with nothing to do.
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press
The best thing that can be said about this funny, poignant and compassionate film is that watching it is not work.
Stephen Hunter, Washington Post
It's a long and relatively underdramatized film, but it's powerfully true.
Desson Thomson, Washington Post
To the patient viewer, the rewards are many, especially Bardem's performance.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Delicado drama que, com seu elenco coeso encabeçado por um Bardem vigoroso e intenso, funciona como um testemunho do impacto psicológico e moral provocado pelo desemprego numa economia em recessão.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
Bottom feeder, out of work adventurers busying themselves with basically anything that will keep the terror of an abyss called the future at bay.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Moving, often hilarious examination of masculine frustration with a sharply observed script and impressive performances from its cast.
Rich Cline, Shadows on the Wall
Another staggeringly strong performance by Javier Bardem.
Prairie Miller, Long Island Press
Bottom feeder, out of work adventurers busying themselves with basically anything that will keep the terror of an abyss called the future at bay.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Full of sympathy for the worker's plight.
Enrique Buchichio, Uruguay Total
Si Los Lunes al Sol es una película tan humana, tan sensible y tan reveladora es porque hemos visto esos personajes acá nomás, a la vuelta de la esquina.
Rob Thomas, Capital Times (Madison, WI)
Okay, I'm saying it: Javier Bardem is the next Robert De Niro.
Duane Dudek, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Will look and feel all too familiar to victims of the jobless recovery, or at least those who can afford to see the movie.
Robert W. Butler, Kansas City Star
Thanks to Bardem's performance the film finds plenty of sublime moments.
Phil Villarreal, Arizona Daily Star
Seems born not of contrivance but genuine, hurtful truth
Steve Schneider, Orlando Weekly
A timely little slice of desolation.