After the disappointment of A Dangerous Method (which several critics praised by the way) it was a relief to thoroughly enjoy two highly contrasting films later in the week.

Cria Cuervos (made in 1975) is, according to the critics, a parable on the lingering death of Franco's regime.  Be that as it may, it is also a stonkingly good story of adult peculiarities seen through the large penetrating brown eyes of the marvellous eight year old Ana Torrent. It's a warm, charming and ultimately happy picture of kids growing up.  There's that parable I suppose.

Carancho is anything but warm and charming, or rather the world of ambulance chasing lawyers and insurance fraud that it portrays isn't.  But the romantic relationship that develops at the centre of the brutal and bloody events that pepper this Tarantinoesque thriller has its own gentle warmth.  The ending won't come as a surprise to the wordly wise cinemagoer but the more sentimental amongst them will regret it.