Mariano Barroso, the director of this film doesn't break any new ground with it. Perhaps because the screen play he wrote with Joaquin Oristell doesn't hold any surprises for the viewer. No doubt there might have been good ideas as a project, but as it plays on the screen, it loses its viewers early on.Naturally, the only interest in watching this Spanish feature were Javier Bardem and Federico Luppi, two of the most interesting actors working in the cinema these days. But alas, nothing makes much sense, or really grabs the viewer's attention. The mercurial theater director, Daniel, played by Mr. Luppi fares much better than Bardem, whose appearance will not add anything to his fine work in better films than this.Watch it at your own risk.

Mariano Barroso had two important assets in his third film: Javier Bardem, that was a little bit unexperienced but full of strength and nerve; and Federico Luppi, one of the best actors alive (in my opinion). But as well as those two great actors he had a powerful story with some nice ingredients for making a good drama: the abandoned son, the selfish father that wouldn't look after anyone but himself, his ego and his passion: theater. Friendship and jealousy, and a certain air of Greek tragedy.The script could be better, as well as some of the secondary characters, but the results are optimum in general. Anyway, as I said before, the presence of Federico Luppi is in itself the best reason for watching "Éxtasis".*My rate: 7/10

Javier Bardem shows an incredible range as the leader of a group of petty thieves,he is sexually exciting and aggressive...almost intoxicating in his presence,you believe he could seduce anyone into anything.He poses as the long lost son of Federico Lupi,the great Argentinan actor, and an incredible development in the story takes place as Javier begins to like his new life and the real son becomes a threatening menace.There are moments where you feel Lupi is having his doubts about Javier's identity yet continues to play along...this is the son he always wished he had...leading up to the very tragic climax.Incredible use of camera work to pull the story along as well as a clever use of the play,Life Is a Dream.It seems that Spain is consistently turning out Top Notch Directors...Theirs must be the best school in the world.