"La chica de ayer" (2009) TV series

User Rating:

(awaiting 5 votes)

Seasons:

1

Plot Keywords:

Based On TV Series

Cast

Ernesto Alterio	...	Samuel Santos (8 episodes, 2009)
Antonio Garrido	...	Quin Gallardo (8 episodes, 2009)
Manuela Velasco	...	Ana Valverde (8 episodes, 2009)
Mariano Llorente	...	Raimundo García (8 episodes, 2009)
Javier Rey	...	Jose Cristóbal Mateo (8 episodes, 2009)
Mamen Duch	...	Pilar Juárez (8 episodes, 2009)
Biel Durán	...	José Santos (7 episodes, 2009)
Manuela Vellés	...	Rosa (7 episodes, 2009)

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Colour:

Colour

Company:

Ida y Vuelta P.F.

Trivia:

The original "Life on Mars" (2006) and its U.S. remake were both set in 1973 and named after a David Bowie song that came out that year. Since Spain was still a dictatorship in 1973, this version was set in 1977 - the year of the first democratic elections since the Spanish Civil War - and renamed after a song from the Spanish group Nacha Pop. The song came out in 1980, though.

Movie Connections:

Remake of "Life on Mars" (2006)

One of the Best Series of Spanish TV History

I have had the pleasure of watching the first four episodes of "La Chica de Ayer", a successful adaptation of the popular BBC Series, "Life on Mars". In my opinion, this is by far one of the top ten TV Shows of Spanish Television History.

It is extremely hard to judge a show that has been adapted from such a fantastic series as "Life on Mars" (especially since the duration of each episode is perhaps too long in the Spanish version), but what I have seen is a perfect translation into Spain's 1977 and a show that has a life of its own.

The recreation of the 70's is simply remarkable: the Art Direction, Cinematography, Costumes even the music is fantastic. I have never seen a Spanish Series so carefully directed (except perhaps for "Cazadores de Hombres") in recent years and the cast is simply outstanding.

Most might think Ernesto Alterio's performance (as Samuel Santos) is a bit over the top, but I think he has created a unique yet realistic arch for his character, as I have seen so far. Perhaps, too well crafted to be appreciated in the small screen. Antonio Garrido as Chief Inspector portrays the typical Spanish Cop from the Seventies in a performance that grows in every episode. Manuela Velasco is simply outstanding as Ana, Samuel's love interest in 1977, and she reminds a little bit to those characters played by her aunt, Concha Velasco, in the early Seventies. The supporting cast is also sensational, Cris and Rai, played by Javier Rey and Mariano Llorente make a hysterical couple.

In a nutshell, "La Chica de Ayer" is a memorable show full of suspense, wit, sci fi, drama, comedy and action. A rare combination in Spanish TV of good story, great cast and amazing production values. If you can watch it, you won't regret it.