Just how well do you know the people closest to you? That is the question at the center of the Perfect Strangers (Perfectos Desconocidos), the Spanish remake of the Italian hit that has been remade or is in development in a dozen other countries. Having never seen the original, I can only compare it to the French version starring Bérénice Bejo (The Artist) released as Nothing to Hide in the US. A group of old friends, three couples and a recently-divorced man, meet for dinner, wine, and fun during a lunar eclipse. As each party member is distracted by their phones, someone points out that their personal devices have become black boxes of their lives, containing all their secrets. This sparks the idea that will change their night and possibly their lives. They decide to play a game where, for the entire dinner, everyone places their phones on the table and publicly reads any text message and answers any phone call on speakerphone. What follows reveals more than expected between people who have known each other for decades.

The Spanish version distinguishes itself with its pop art style. The film’s visuals feature garish colors with blue interior walls, bleached blonde hair, and the hostess’s hot pink outfit as just a few examples. Anyone who has seen a movie by Pedro Almodóvar will used to the bright aesthetic. The editing is fast with short reaction shots and rapid cutting between different angles of the dinner. The cinematography is kinetic with the camera sweeping along the length of table or swiveling in the center to quickly capture everyone’s contrasting emotions, often to comedic effect. The reasoning behind this style is simple. The movie is essentially a bottle film, taking place almost entirely inside a single apartment with a small cast, and adding some energy to the visuals can help prevent the single setting from becoming stale. It serves the film well during its many humorous moments when the quick shots highlight the different personalities but it also undermines the more dramatic beats.  

This style gives the film a lighter tone. It makes the already short runtime pass by quickly but prevents its dramatic moments from having weight. There are several serious, tense, and touching moments throughout the story but the brisk pace doesn’t allow for breathing room. Before a difficult revelation can create an impact, the film has already moved on to the next phone call or text message.

The reason Perfect Strangers has been and is being remade so many times is that its premise is enticing and its characters are relatable. The script is strong featuring likable people with long histories together and their own perspectives. One couple is recently married and extremely passionate, another is distant and embittered, and the third is somewhere in between with the single guy as the odd man out. They have clear affection for each other and the potential of revealing what even the best of friends may keep secret presents a juicy source for drama. This iteration has a strong foundation in its dramatic and comedic script and enjoyable performances from an entertaining cast, but the faster pace and lighter tone limit the film’s more serious moments. Watch the French remake instead.

3/5 stars.