The film lives or dies by its two leads, and they are exceptional.
Released in 2011, Madrid, 1987 is a dialogue-driven Spanish drama directed by David Trueba that explores the complex power dynamics between two generations. The film is set almost entirely within the cramped confines of a bathroom, turning a potentially salacious premise into a "verbose dissertation" on life, art, and politics. Plot Overview The story follows (José Sacristán), a cynical, aging journalist who meets
David Trueba’s 2011 drama Madrid, 1987 stands as a unique, deeply intimate entry in modern Spanish cinema. Set entirely within the cramped confines of a studio bathroom, the film strip-mines the psychological, sexual, and intellectual friction between two eras of Spanish history. Madrid 1987 Imdb
: 6.3/10 (Note: Some sources may list different ratings for similarly named older films) 📖 Plot Summary
For more details on cast, crew, and user reviews, you can visit the Madrid, 1987 (2011) IMDb page or a breakdown of the director's other works Cartelera: Madrid, 1987 - IMDb The film lives or dies by its two
If you enjoy dialogue-driven, high-concept chamber pieces (think My Dinner with Andre meets Sleuth with a layer of Spanish political memory), the 6.7 score may undersell it. If you prefer plot and pacing, the score will likely feel generous. Either way, Madrid, 1987 earns its cult status one provocative frame—and one user review—at a time.
However, this rapid transition created a massive generational gulf: The Old Guard (Miguel) Plot Overview The story follows (José Sacristán), a
Because of this, the film carries an unrated status in the US (equivalent to an NC-17/R for graphic nudity and dialogue). User reviews on IMDb are split directly down the middle. One user writes: "A masterpiece of dialogue. Trueba exposes the hypocrisy of the intellectual elite." Another counters: "Pretentious, exploitative, and boring. Two hours of old man philosophy while a young woman listens."
| Feature | (Trueba, 2011) | Film 2: Madrid (Martín Patino, 1987) | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Main Subject | Clash of generations and sexual tension | Spanish Civil War documentary making | | Primary Setting | A single, locked bathroom | The city of Madrid | | Main Actors | José Sacristán, María Valverde | Rüdiger Vogler, Verónica Forqué | | IMDb Rating | 6.2/10 | 7.0/10 | | Notoriety | Buzz at Sundance; provocative nudity | Lesser-known, more obscure |
On IMDb, David Trueba’s 2011 Spanish drama holds a modest but telling profile. As of its most recent data, the film carries a 6.7/10 rating from several thousand user votes—a score that reflects its polarizing, art-house nature rather than mainstream appeal. The page lists key credits: director David Trueba, stars José Sacristán and María Valverde, and a runtime of 105 minutes. But the numbers only hint at the film’s true character.