Biutiful
Spanish actor Javier Bardem, who starred in No Country For Old Men, is quite simply amazing in this gruelling Mexican film from the acclaimed Alejandro González Iñárritu, director of Babel.
Uxbal (Bardem) is a hustler who exploits illegal immigrants in Barcelona. He is looking for redemption in a life of darkness, as his criminal underworld activities sit at odds with the dignity he tries to treat people with.
But Uxbal's precarious world starts to collapse around him when he receives shocking news.
He attempts to reconcile himself with the sons that he adores, and their unstable, alcoholic mother Marambra (Maricel Alvarez) with whom he has an on-off relationship.
Biutiful is a gritty and breathtaking piece of work from Inarritu, with Bardem giving yet another magnificent performance as the tortured soul Uxbal.
Starring: Javier Bardem, Maricel Alvarez, Hanaa Bouchaib
Biutiful is released 28th January.