Madrid 1987 Imdb May 2026

, directed by David Trueba. On IMDb, this film is known for its minimalist, two-character setup and provocative themes. Film Overview: Madrid, 1987 (2011)

The movie takes place over a single day in 1987 and follows a celebrated, aging journalist and a young female student who find themselves in an increasingly intimate and trapped situation. Director: David Trueba. Key Cast: José Sacristán as Miguel, the cynical veteran journalist. María Valverde as Ángela, the ambitious student.

The Plot: What begins as a professional interview in a cafe moves to a private studio where the two become accidentally locked in a bathroom, entirely naked. The film is heavily dialogue-driven, exploring themes of aging, journalism, politics, and the generational gap in post-Franco Spain. IMDb Community & Critic Reception

The film holds a weighted IMDb rating of 6.2/10 as of April 2026. Reviews on the platform highlight several talking points:

"Talky" Narrative: Many reviewers on IMDb describe it as a "verbose discourse" or a "working-out of social themes". Madrid 1987 Imdb

Controversy: The film features extensive full-frontal nudity and a graphic sex scene, which some viewers felt blurred the line between art and exploitation, while others praised it as a raw metaphor for vulnerability.

Mixed Reviews: Critics from the Miami Herald called it a "dizzying" study of ageism, while others at The New York Times found it "sometimes dull and certainly overlong". The Original (1987) Madrid, 1987 (2011)

Madrid, 1987 is a 2011 Spanish drama directed by David Trueba that serves as a claustrophobic, dialogue-heavy exploration of generational conflict and desire. Plot Overview

The film follows Miguel (José Sacristán), a cynical, aging journalist, and Ángela (María Valverde), a young, ambitious journalism student. What begins as a professional interview in a cafe transitions to a studio apartment, where the two become accidentally trapped in a small bathroom for an entire day and night. , directed by David Trueba

Stripped of their clothes and social defenses, the characters engage in an intense philosophical duel that covers:

Generational Clashes: The gap between the post-Civil War generation and the youth of Spain's burgeoning democracy.

Power Dynamics: The shifting balance between Miguel’s intellectual dominance and Ángela’s youthful vulnerability and resilience.

Artistic Identity: Miguel's reflections on his career, ego, and the changing landscape of Spanish culture. Critical Reception Madrid (1987) — Vivid Overview Set against the

According to critics on Rotten Tomatoes, the film operates as a hybrid of a romantic comedy, a "sex farce," and a serious study of ageism and idealism. It is praised for its minimal setting and the powerhouse performance of José Sacristán, which carries the weight of the film's extensive dialogue. Production Context

Inspiration: Director David Trueba drew from his own experiences as a young journalist in 1980s Spain.

IMDb Listing: You can find more details, including user ratings and technical specs, on its official IMDb page.

Note: There is also a 1987 documentary titled "Madrid" about the Spanish Civil War, though the 2011 drama is the most commonly searched title under this name. Madrid (1987) - IMDb


Madrid (1987) — Vivid Overview

Set against the restless pulse of Spain’s capital in the late 1980s, Madrid (1987) is a gritty urban drama that captures a city in transition and the lives entangled within it. The film follows a small ensemble of characters whose personal crossroads intersect across neon-lit streets, cramped flats, and boisterous cafés, each searching for identity, connection, or escape amid post-dictatorship social change.

IMDb Key Stats (Reference)

  • Rating: ~6.9/10 (Note: Ratings fluctuate; typically ranges from 6.6 to 7.2)
  • Runtime: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Language: Spanish
  • Country: Spain
  • Awards: 4 wins & 7 nominations, including Best Actor for José Sacristán at the Goya Awards.

1. The IMDb Snapshot

  • Title: Madrid 1987 (original title: Madrid, 1987)
  • Release year: 2011
  • Director: David Trueba
  • Main cast: José Sacristán (Miguel), María Valverde (Ángela)
  • Runtime: 105 minutes
  • IMDb Rating: 6.3/10 (approx., based on ~3K user ratings)
  • Genres: Drama, Romance (with strong psychological tension)
  • Language: Spanish
  • Country: Spain

Memorable Scenes (imagined highlights)

  • Dawn on Gran Vía: a long tracking shot following the young worker as the city wakes — storefronts opening, buses rumbling, the city’s noise becoming a character.
  • Late-night rooftop conversation: two characters trade confidences under a helium sky, Madrid’s lights shimmering below as they confront regret and desire.
  • A tense market chase: narrow alleys and staircases become a claustrophobic maze, punctuated by sudden bursts of motion and breathless close-ups.
  • Quiet hospital corridor: the nurse pauses, listening to distant TV chatter and the hum of fluorescent lights — a small gesture revealing deep compassion.
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