City of No Limits

AMG Plot: Max (Fernando Fernán Gómez), the wealthy family patriarch and head of a pharmaceuticals business, is dying of cancer and has relocated from Madrid to a Paris hospital for treatment. The members of his family, including his wife, Marie (Geraldine Chaplin), have gathered around him there. Victor (Leonardo Sbaraglia), the youngest son and last to arrive in Paris, lives in Argentina and has no ties to the family business. He sees Max, who is becoming incoherent and confused, secretly throwing away his medicine, pretending to sleep, and attempting to escape from the hospital. Victor notices that Max appears to be afraid of something, but he can't tell if his fear is well founded or if he is just delusional. In the midst of family conflict and questions about the inheritance, Victor helps Max search for answers about a mysterious figure from his past who may or may not exist, while encountering opposition from other family members. — Todd Kristel

AMG Review: The City of No Limits is a tautly scriped and impressively acted film about family secrets and unresolved guilt. It could be considered a thriller since the plot involves uncovering secrets and discovering betrayal, but this isn't a fast-paced or action-packed movie with a lot of frantic scenes filled with danger and suspense. Nor is it a melodramatic film; there are some outbursts in it, but most of the characters don't display their emotions in an explosive manner. Instead, this is a measured film that carefully and sensitively explores the lives of its characters. The movie's greatest strength is its fine emsemble cast. Fernando Fernan-Gomez is affecting as the family's dying patriach, and he has a good rapport with Leonardo Sbaraglia, who carries much of the weight of the film as the son searching for answers. The rest of the cast is also excellent, including Geraldine Chaplin, who won Spain's Goya Award for best supporting actress. The film could have explored the lives of its characters in greater depth and moved at a faster pace, but otherwise it is a first-rate drama. — Todd Kristel