Madrid, 1987 (2011) – Drama

Madrid, 1987 is a Spanish drama directed by David Trueba, offering an intimate and thought-provoking exploration of connection, power, and generational conflict. Set against the backdrop of Madrid in the late 1980s, the film strips away distractions to focus almost entirely on two characters who are forced into an unusual situation that challenges their perceptions of freedom, vulnerability, and desire.

The story follows Miguel (José Sacristán), a seasoned journalist known for his sharp wit and world-weary cynicism, who meets Ángela (María Valverde), a young journalism student eager to learn but also determined to assert her independence. What begins as a simple interview soon takes a dramatic turn when circumstances trap them together in a small, locked bathroom. Stripped of the outside world, the two are compelled to confront one another’s ideals, fears, and unspoken desires.

As the hours stretch on, their dialogue becomes a battle of intellects and emotions—an older man’s disillusionment clashing with a young woman’s search for meaning and autonomy. Through this tense yet deeply human encounter, the film meditates on themes of aging, ambition, gender dynamics, and the fleeting nature of intimacy.

Minimalist in setting but rich in substance, Madrid, 1987 relies heavily on its performances. Sacristán delivers a layered portrayal of a man both arrogant and fragile, while Valverde captures the resilience and vulnerability of youth caught between naivety and self-discovery. Together, they create a dynamic that is at once unsettling, poetic, and deeply real.

By focusing on a single, contained situation, Madrid, 1987 becomes less about plot and more about character, dialogue, and the quiet revelations that emerge when two people are forced to truly see one another. It is a contemplative drama that lingers long after the credits roll, offering no easy answers but plenty of questions about human connection.