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The Spanish Apartment

1 disc
Region 1 USA/CA (info)

Xavier (Romain Duris), a wayward 25-year-old French guy, is encouraged by his father's friend to study Spanish and Economics--these skills will ensure his lucrative future, and since Xavier doesn't have much keeping him in Paris, other than his hippie mother and possessive girlfriend, he flies to Barcelona to participate in a study abroad program. Upon his arrival, Xavier meets a gregarious Parisian and his laconic but beautiful wife. Initially, Xavier rejects their friendship, but the couple bails him out when he cannot find an apartment, inviting him stay on their couch. Frantic to find his own lodgings, he interviews with an eclectic group of fellow exchange students, whose are from all over Western Europe. They find Xavier to be a suitable roommate, and the fun begins as the apartment becomes a hub of international activity. Xavier begins to shed his waywardness, becoming increasingly comfortable with his passions and pursuits. Set in the magnificence of Barcelona, the film is a nostalgic travelogue through Xavier's youthful and anxious wanderings. Politically, the film explores issues of ethnicity and international stereotypes, but for the most part its story is shot through a comedic lens.
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- Rating - language and sexual content
Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 2009596
Credits

Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, Judith Godreche, Kelly Reilly
Critic Reviews

"...Mr. Klapisch's ragged exuberance seems well matched to his subject....He also has an intuitive sense of how seriously to take his characters' lives..."
New York Times
"...It energetically captures the frenzied pace of contemporary existence..."
USA Today
"...With the right wandering touch of pleasure, nostalgia, and wistful exploration..."
Entertainment Weekly
"...[An] exhilarating comedy....Its warm, embracing spirit is refreshing in these divisive times..."
Los Angeles Times
"...It settles into a pleasing rhythm and mood....The film emerges as an entertaining and satisfying journey..."
Box Office
"AMELIE's Audrey Tautou surprises as Xavier's whiny noodge of a girlfriend back home."
USA Today