The Hidden Face

Director: Andrés Baiz

Starring: Martina García, Quim Gutierrez, Clara Lago

***

With the sound of thunder storms arriving on cue to punctuate every moment of tension, and at least one creepy bathroom scene every 10 minutes, this Spanish film is a wholly generic sub-Hitchcock thriller. It begins with a chance meeting between the beautiful waitress Fabiana (García) and the tortured orchestra conductor Adrian (Gutiérrez), whose girlfriend has disappeared. As they fall in love, Fabiana begins to believe she is somehow connected to the missing Belen (Lago) and fears for her own safety. There are few original ideas here, and the film reveals its secrets too quickly, yet there's something to admire in this straightforward, unaffected thriller. With strong performances from both its female stars and a brisk running time, the finished article transcends its timeworn premise.