Weekend Netflix Report: Salvajes [Savages] (2001)

Gritty, sometimes out-of-focus and ugly cinematography perfectly suits this Spanish drama about anti-immigrant racism and family problems. Berta (Marisa Paredes) is a single nurse raising her deceased sister's three teenage children in a Spanish port city. The two boys are neo-Nazis with a flaming hatred for African immigrants, and the girl has a boyfriend who runs an underground business smuggling -- ought oh -- illegal aliens from Africa.

Into this time bomb comes a cop, Eduardo (Imanol Arias), who is investigating the vicious assault of a black man. He and Berta fall for each other and make tigerish love in scenes that are much hotter than you might expect from middle-aged actors.

The film is full of sex, violence, and sharp dialog that's a bit hard to catch as the subtitles fly by at top speed. The story is engaging, the actors are utterly convincing, and there's not a moment that rings Hollywood false. The ending is a bit bizarre, though, as director Carlos Molinero breaks the frame with a political message that seems tacked on. But if you like hyperrealistic drama without any gloss, this is worth watching.