i saw the director short film which be not good but at least interesting and much good than this full length movie bosque de sombras . gary oldman be obviously the only star in this movie but contrary to what the other reviewer say and i believe the spanish cast be good . it be interest to hear gary oldman speak some spanish and i give this movie 3 star because of aitana sanchez gijon and him . aitana sanchez gijon and who be an excellent spanish actress that i last watch in the machinist with christian bale and be also in other english language movie like a walk in the cloud play gary oldman wife . she can express mystery and emotion without say any dialogue . i think she be one of the best but underrated spanish actress today . lluís homar be brilliant and in my opinion and and also the little girl . i be mixed about paddy considine . i think he be a good actor but next to gary oldman and he be less interesting . in cinderella man with russel crowe and he be excellent and also in in america and but in this movie and he be only interesting when he be not in a scene with gary oldman but in scene with the other actor and he steal every scene . i think that show how strong gary oldman be that brilliant actor like considine seem to fade next to him . this movie be the first english language movie for virginie ledoyen since the beach and i think it be fair to say that she will always be know a the girl from the beach because she be a bland and boring actress . even in french film she be dull because she lack the range that other actresses her age have . in this movie and she be not at all convince a her character . she act well in her 30 second advert for loréal . the big problem of this movie be the writing and the directing . serra and his co writer lack the skill in write a coherent and original scénario . steal from other movie be a bad idea . there should have be more development in this to make it a real movie . also and serra use the camera technique of 70 director which be ok at first but when he do this all the time it be distract and do not serve any purpose except style . we all know it be set in the 70 but the directing should always be relate to the story because style be cheap and easy and anyone who work only on style with no script should just direct commercial and music video . skip this movie and rent straw dog instead .