Torrente, the Dumb Arm of the Law (1998)

Bad Acting and worse Bad Screenplay

A story that's too fascinating to pass by...

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

The movie is made so realistic it has a lot of that WoW feeling at the right moments and never tooo over the top. the suspense is done so well and the emotion is felt. Very well put together with the music and all.

Same review applies to the entire series of the first four Torrente films--they are very similar in concept and execution, and I binge- watched them all because I liked them so much. I think that this is real love it or hate it stuff, and God I love it. I'm guessing 7 out of 10 people won't appreciate this material at all, while the other 3 who are a bit twisted like me won't be able to get enough. It helps to have some knowledge of European culture and politics, but it's not essential--a well-honed appreciation of outstanding low-brow humor is sorely needed though. Yes, all the films are Spanish subtitled in English, but in very easy to read yellow lettering so it's no big deal at all. Most women I'm guessing will be turned off by these flicks. It's best to watch them in order. They play like the work of some deranged, Spanish genius, love-child of Mad Magazine and National Lampoon hopped-up on steroids, testosterone, tons of junk food, pornography, and some ungodly mix of alcohol and illegal drugs. These satires are rude, crude, lewd, insensitive, offensive, amoral, sexist, racist, homophobic, grossly politically incorrect and hilarious (with likely no socially redeeming value). What more could you ask for? If this kind of material doesn't appeal to you, steer clear; otherwise, bon appetit. As for me, all I can say is, "Please, Sir, I want some more." (I've just noticed that number 5 has been made, and I'm dying to see it.)

This movie is a killer! One of the funniest ever! If you like Farelly brothers's work, this will overpass everything they've done by far! Great stuff! If you see this film once you will feel that you need to see it at least one more time! Of course, you'll need to have the stomach for this kind of jokes! The other characters, Rafi and his two friends are also extremely funny! But cannot overpass Torente! Also,you have to see the sequel! An absolute killer!! I laughed so hard at this movie, that I actually cried!!! These friends of his are so stupid and cheesy, that almost all the parts with them will make your laughter hard to take! As I said, when you'll think you had enough, it comes back, bigger, longer and uncut! If you like humor and especially black and somewhat racist and apparently dumb humor, it's a must! Go see it dudes! It's all worth!

Whether or not you have ever lived in Madrid, this movie is worth seeing.From putting his father out on the street to beg to stealing old ladies' panties, Torrente shows his true colors as a scumbag all the way through. He is loyal to no one except himself. Some of the humor is very typically Madrid, such as the making fun of Catalonians and the continual support the fans give of the Athlético de Madrid soccer team. Even so, the English subtitles on this movie are actually quite good - I was impressed how they translated some unique Spanish slang. Film critics, on the whole, did not favor this movie. This movie is not a serious film, people, so just get ready for raunchy laughs. Also, don't forget to see Torrente 2: Misión in Marbella. Se pasa aún más.

This is one of the worst comedies I have ever encountered. It brings nothing new, it's like to take all bad Spanish humor films (just the bad ones) and to mix them together. The problem lays in the plot, interpretation and camera are OK. The film is full of clichés and easy jokes, it ridicules the typical fascist, nostalgic of Franco's era, but so in a way that I could even feel compassion and solidarity to him. The whole film is predictable. This is a film to avoid.