Fermat's Room [DVD]

It is very hard to review this film without spoiling the plot but I will try my best. A group of very different people receive individual invitations to a dinner hosted by a genius. They all eventually decide to go, to find on arrival that their host is missing. Soon after dinner, they find that they have to solve problems against the clock. If they fail to do so, something nasty happens. What is the reason for this ? What is the connection between the characters. Can they solve the problems in time? All is revealed eventually, with great twists and turns that keep you guessing. If it sounds a bit like an Agatha Christie play, you are not a million miles away. However, it is crisper, better plotted, and better acted than most of hers will ever be. One for fans of World Cinema and mystery thrillers, none of whom should be disappointed by this Spanish mini-classic.

It has a reasonably straightforward plot, but there is little mystery or suspense involved, and after the Cube it showed itself lacking. It was a room which would eventually crush its victims to death, and bit by bit, in the midst of performing logic tests to stay alive, the victims work out why they are to be murdered and by whom. There were scenes upon which the plot depended which were outside the killer room, and I feel that although this was necessary, it watered down the plot, and suggested there was a way out for the victims, not the unending suspense of its forbear the Cube, which strongly disorientated and tortured the victims. It took the viewer's attention away from the room. The subtitles were difficult to read, the contrast was poor, but necessary because the script is in Spanish, and I found myself constantly going backwards to catch up on the text, whch was a needed part of the plot. It was reasonable entertainment, but it'll be a while before I view again

Fermat's Room is a well paced mystery thriller to keep you guessing throughout as four mathematicians, at different moments in their careers and lives, come together to discuss a mathematical problem in a remote and unknown location. The mathematicians in question are thoughtfully written and provided with a nugget of background to help succinctly establish their character prior to the meeting in Fermat's room. All are portrayed with sufficient realism and intrigue to ensure the somewhat far-fetched premise (of mass-mathematician-murder) is not undermined by cliché and novelty but that it instead carries with it the weightiness of Mathematics and it's historical baggage of glory, madness, logic, jealousy, despair etc. all of which is cleverly referenced throughout, sometimes discreetly and other times neatly woven into the narrative. The eventual revelation of the groups predicament is dealt with somewhat candidly by the characters, but in a befitting manner were such a situation to arise amongst logic-driven intellectuals (as opposed to panic-prone, angst-ridden teens), and because of this, the slow and relentless nature of their inevitable doom, as the walls start closing in, correlates effectively with the escalating tension and emotion in the room, enabling the film to progress to a satisfying climax. As the four mathematicians are beset by a number of enigmas to prevent their impending demise, we are given a little enigma in each of the four mathematicians, whose secrets are gradually revealed in order to uncover the reason for their entrapment. All this is very well managed, using a stylish, red walled, almost grandiose and inviting set, but ultimately intended by their captor as a cramped, claustrophobic tomb. To conduct a film in such a setting is a highly credible technical achievement in itself and provides the perfect environment for the tension, drama and secrets to unfold. There are titbits of humour throughout; some intentionally - in the clever script as a character infers from a logic problem the nature of individuals in the group, and some unintentionally - in the Black Adder-esque opening title sequence as a black-gloved hand is seen arranging a scale model of Fermat's room (comic-gothic-noir?). Intended or not, all the humour lends an aspect to the film which helps evolve the premise of four mathematicians trapped in a room to four identifiable, likeable and complex human beings trapped in a room. Rather than just victims, we see people. What I would have enjoyed more of, (which is in part provided by deleted scenes in the special features), was more detail in the establishment of the characters, with which to refer to later in the film as revelations are made and the pieces of the puzzle slot together as the ultimate enigma is unveiled. It was apparently the two directors decision to omit these background scenes in response to audience feedback and also because they were deemed non-essential for the story arc and may arguably have detracted from the pace of the film, which is a tidy 90 minutes after all. Also, if you're not a Spanish speaker the subtitles may be a little on the small side and sometimes lack contrast from the background, which can unfortunately detract from subtle nuances within the script, unless you have a keen eye. Despite these minor shortcomings, Fermat's Room is a thrilling and enjoyable treat, based on a simple premise performed and directed very well and though in a contemporary setting, there is an old fashioned feel to it, evoking aspects of classic noir and relying on good acting and story telling above all else. I'd recommend it to all but the most claustrophobic of mathematicians.

Le titre m'a accroché et je me suis payé le DVD. Je peux dire que le contenu est conforme aux attentes. Diverses énigmes peuvent être résolues sans trop de problème, mais si vous êtes amateurs, vous en connaissez sûrement la plupart. Mais la formule du huis clos et la pression constante entretenue dans le film donne au final un bon divertissement.

I LOVE this movie. I used it in my math appreciation class for liberal arts students with pauses to work out The Enigmas. Almost all were riveted by the mystery and the action. Also, since I teach in a multilingual school, the Spanish language was well received. The only addition would be if they included an insert that had all The Enigmas written out. Luckily, others have already complied such a list: http://support.acadsoc.com/math-puzzles-in-the-film-fermats-room-6-177-502.html Have fun!

Most foreign films have those 'subs' where you 'read' the story (in your language) well since I look at EVERYTHING being displayed [scenery, decor, human behavior~presented & predictable...lol !] I found (in this film) a refreshing change...the 'english read' stayed (1 sec.) longer than expected on screen ! I can actually learned another language! rather than pay alot of bucks for 'rosetta stone'. Kidding aside, I thought this film, was really interesting, I was drawn into the plot immediately as the introductory scence use a 'interior room' design (like a play house) a toy I had as a child ( I loved very much) ...so I was 'captivated' at onset! Yes, I would recommend this to any movie fan in love with intrigue/enigma/"secrets, come to light''. as well as, quik pik Spanish.

Film sympa même si les énigmes sont souvent assez simples, l'ambiance est cependant assez prenante. (attention import anglais sans sous-titrage français disponible)

La calidad de la imagen no es ni parecida a un bluray, es de DVD y de los malos, pues tengo DVD's que se ven muy bien. La imagen presenta, como digo, el granizado típico de los DVD's de mala calidad. Si lo llego a saber no la compro, pues compras alta definición para disfrutarla.