It can be said that ‘Canallas’ is a good comedy that, in addition to making us laugh, as far as it goes, can also be considered a very decent film… within what it proposes, which is nothing more than giving us a good time without being disrespectful (or embarrassing others). What Daniel Guzmán achieves with his second film as screenwriter and director, what is called a playful comedy made of good vibes among friends that is mostly nice, and at times also funny, as well as always distracted. Things happen at all times, in a very lively and cheerful caricature in continuous movement. With a fairly elaborate story, and that avoids resorting to formulas that make us feel what is usual in the cinematographic comedy of our country: That we are watching an extended episode of some television blood sausage with too much taste for easy jokes. The but, there always is, is that this kind of Spanish version of the North American comedy type ‘Hangover to Las Vegas’ is starring a certain Joaquín González (and his family). I mean, yes, but at the same time, not entirely. The intentions are understood (and accepted): This Joaquín González not only plays himself, but is also the basis and inspiration of this picaresque. What could well be considered a stimulating reinterpretation of the biopic concept as it was at the time, saving the distances, that of ‘The Big Lebowski’. Now, neither he nor his family are actors and although they may have some natural grace (when they are understood when speaking), next to Luis Tosar or Guzmán himself, his reality is transformed into a stiff falsehood. Turning a secondary character in a film by Álex de la Iglesia into the protagonist has its price, and the contrast ends up weighing down a bit the good predisposition of everything (and everyone) others. A little, just a little (if we’re not too picky). Because otherwise, if a comedy is measured in laughter and good vibes, ‘Canallas’ is well served being also a film that, as such, maintains composure and decency, something that unfortunately is not usually as common as we would like. , neither in the cinema of our country nor abroad.
‘Canallas’ – From the neighborhood to the mud
