Rating: 
Summary: A journey to find oneself in a confusing globalized world
Review: The future is in the stock market, says French executive Jean-Charles Perrin to young Xavier, and that with a MA in economics, he can get Xavier a job in his company, as Perrin is a friend of Xavier's father. To that end, the young man enrolls in the Erasmus, named after Reformation-era scholar Desiderius Erasmus, foreign student programme and goes to Barcelona to finish his degree.Once there, he finds a flat with a group of students from other countries, including Isabelle from Belgium, Lars from Denmark, the clean freak Wendy from Britain, and Alessandro from Italy, a chronic mess-maker whom I tried to find a picture of Oscar from The Odd Couple, but it was probably buried under his mess. Yes, six, later seven students living together in a cramped apartment does make quite a monkey cage. He is also befriended by a French couple, the brain specialist Jean-Michel and his wife Anne-Sophie, who put him up for a while pending new living arrangements. The title apartment, with the various students represents a miniaturized European Union, represented by Spain, United Kingdom, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Italy, and France. The students are here to mold their future into careers, and their encounters with several students from other parts of the world symbolizes the globalization that's become ever more apparent in the 1990's and the naughts. Yet one of the effects of that is a meshing of cultures to the point that one goes from being French to being European, soaking in the culture and psyche of his/her fellow students. One thus learns what it's like to be a foreigner and also to show proper respect to people from other cultures. The importance of this is demonstrated by Isabelle and some other students, who have learned Castilian, to soberly discover that one professor teaches his courses speaking Catalan, the dominant language in Barcelona. Another is when Wendy's visiting brother William, who apart from being a nuisance to the students trying to study, unwittingly offends some of them with his ignorance. Call him the British version of a redneck, someone unaware of the cultural melding taking place. Compare that to Martine, Xavier's girlfriend, played by Amelie's Audrey Tautou. Despite having less than a combined ten minutes screen-time, there is a scene where we learn she was named after the character in a children's book who fed the farm animals. She thinks it's sexist that the women had to do all the work, yet Martine also represents a simpler, rural life that's in danger of vanishing in today's globalized world. Think of the careers post-industrial women have today. With Xavier gone to Barcelona and his miniature EC, the strain between them represents traditional simplicity versus globalization. Xavier's studies is also a journey to find himself in this multicultural environment, but it becomes an adventure. He becomes more attuned to his surroundings, and his taking out the slightly shy, un-hip Anne-Sophie on outings, sanctioned by her absentee husband, leads to an affair. Historically, it's interesting and apropos that this story takes place in Spain, which spearheaded the first post-Roman empire in Western Civilization, empires leading to globalism. Ditto for the name of the student programme, as Erasmus left Paris, like Xavier, and found an affinity towards humanist scholars such as Thomas More in England. The students are well-cast, as they are like any bunch of university students I met in my time at NMSU, with Kelly Reilly (Wendy) and Cecile De France (Isabelle) pulling standout and very likeable performances. And the location shooting, be it the streets or the coloured frameworks of buildings under construction, brings in a fresh ambience. An interesting and unforgettable adventure of discovering oneself in this quick-paced, confusing globalized world.
Rating: 
Summary: "I wondered, in fact, what was I doing there?"
Review: When Xavier (Romain Duris) became an exchange student in order to learn Spanish so he can get a plum job in economics, he didn't realize he was in for much more than just language lessons. In Spain, he meets a host of other young Europeans -- some of whom will embark with him on an odyssey of a lifetime. THE SPANISH APARTMENT is a marvellous film of friendship, love, and identity. During his own year stay at the University of Barcelona he learns valuable lessons that will surely impact him the remainder of his youth. His eyes witness the extreme diversity of what it means to be Spanish, European, and a human being. The cinematography is remarkable. Set primarily in Barcelona, I was pleasantly reminded of my own travels in this colorful and vibrant city. In addition, several film tricks were utilized (i.e., fast-farwarding and simultaneous dual images of the same scene) resulting in a unique visual experience. I also appreciated the identity issues raised throughout this film, and how people were confronted with the ignorance of others and themselves. Watching THE SPANISH APARTMENT was 120 minutes of pleasure, enjoyment, and amusement. Enjoy!
Rating: 
Summary: Cute little movie
Review: A quint eurpoean movie, but no haute culture here. It's a simple, fun movie.
Rating:
Summary: DVD version not as good as the movie
Review: I saw this movie in the theaters and although I enjoyed pretty much the whole thing, my favorite parts were the ones with the english brother (played by Kevin Bishop). That's what made me want to to buy this movie (as opposed to just renting it). I was VERY DISAPPOINTED that the DVD version cut out some of these funny parts. There were 3 scenes that were really funny - all of them were shortened on the DVD version (did Steven Spielberg edit this?) If you could care less about the parts with Wendy's brother (Kevin Bishop), by all means get this movie. If you like these parts, then I would NOT Recommend buying this DVD(rent it instead).
Rating:
Summary: going abroad to find yourself
Review: Xavier is a Parisian who, in order to get a job at the Finance Ministry, must learn Spanish. He promptly signs up for a yearlong study abroad program in Barcelona, leaving behind his hippie mother and his girlfriend Martine (Audrey Tatou of "Amelie" fame.) He meets Jean-Michel and Anne-Sophie, a newly-wed couple, on his plane there. Turns out they are newcomers to barcelona as well, and though Xavier initially dislikes them, he accepts temporary housing with them when his own housing plans fall through. Within days, he lands a room at an apartment with an eclectic mix of students who hail from all over Europe. In all these different people, he finds what he has been looking for all his life, and becomes a ready part of the mix. Xavier's year is great to watch for anyone who ever studied abroad. Anne-Sophie and Jean-Michel resurface throughout the year, and new characters such as Isabella, his friend from class, and William, his English roommate Wendy's lout of a brother also enter the scene and mix up the plot. Meantime, he is growing apart from Martine and who/what he was before. It is a great film about being young, meeting different people in different places and figuring out how it changes you --- almost always for the better.
Rating:
Summary: Microcosm of Modern Europe
Review: _L'Auberge Espagnole_ provides a hodgepodge of language (many European languages are spoken in the movie, and three are spoken regularly: French, Spanish and English) as well as a plethora of cultures and lifestyles that provide a wonderful glimpse into modern-day Europe. When Xavier, a French student, sets off for a year in Barcelona, he has no idea what is in store. He leaves behind his girlfriend, played by Audrey Tautou. He quickly settles in with a group of international students, representing a number of European nations. The film shows very little time at the university, so Xavier's life looks like a year-long vacation in the Spanish apartment. A steamy affair, crazy parties, and lots of sighseeing--is he really in school? One of the best parts of the movie was the cinematography. The opening scenes depict busy European metropolis life: cars racing, people walking, etc. The film technique fits nicely with the message of the movie. The cinematographers also show several split screen images that allow the viewer to see the different characters. The casting in this film was splendid, and the characters developed nicely on screen. The premise sounds very "Real World: Barcelona" but the directors veered away from exploitation in favor of exploration: who are these students? who are the future leaders of Europe? Each student in the apartment represented their country, similar to the leaders of the EU. _L'Auberge Espagnole_ is a very special film that should not be missed.
Rating:
Summary: (Good But It's Still 3.5) Delightful But Too Light-Weight
Review: [Audrey Tautou fans, read this first.] If you are a fan of the star of "Amelie" like me, and want to see this film because of her, please remember this. Ms. Tautou was cast in this film before the international hit of "Amelie," so her role here is a comparatively small one. And her character as the girl-friend of the protagonist does NOT live in the apartment, and that means she stayys onut of the screen for a long time. Roman Duris stars in this lightweight comedy-drama as Zavier, 25 year-old French student, who decides to study abroad (in Spain) simply because he wants secure a good job. In the title apartment in Barcelona, however, he learns something much more important during the eventful one year in absolute freedom. That is a rough sketch of the story, and this apartment plays the role of so-called "melting pot" of European people. (Incidentally, its UK title is "Potluck.") In this not-so-clean but still magical place, you see students from France, UK, Germany. Denmark, Italy, and Belgium. These colorful nationalities of EU represent the unbrindled energy of the youth, and if you have spent young days as they do, in a foreign land with friends, you wil easily relate to the agnst of Zavier, the portrait of average young boy. Director Cedric Klapisch repeats his light touch found in "When the Cat's Away," and the script was written in 12 day. The film itself was shot in only 4 months ... well, so he says. The film, as a consequence, shows little surprise -- there is a love-triangle which is too predictable, just another case of uninterested husband and unhappy wife, which is tradtional since the days of Madame Bovery. And the silly hubby is a doctor again. The characters lack the depth -- only the students from Britain show some -- and the commentary on the cultural difference doesn't bite. But the film (shot in digital camera) captures the truth of youth, and the care-free community depicted here has an undeniable charm that would be most appealing to the young people, with its frank descriptions of being really young. I admit that I feel envious of the people and the place, even though I know (and the film knows) that it will not last forever.
Rating:
Summary: You'll wish that you, too, acted in this movie!
Review: I think I saw this movie two years ago. I enjoyed it, and I wished that I was present in the stage, when they were shooting it. The movie, featuring a bunch of students of different nationalities living in the same apartment, presents you the life in Barcelona, the relationships between these people and more. A commentary I read about this movie on the newspapers was that, the movie promoted the life in European Union, and being European and having the chance to live the life better. Perhaps, this is because I'm living in Turkey, and Turkey isn't admitted to European Union yet. But even so, it's still nice. Audrey Tatou will attract many people to watch this movie. However, don't limit your expectations to her only, because her part is quite short. The female audience, on the other hand, might enjoy watching the main character, who has the most modest expression. Good for watching with a bunch of people; will please everyone.
Rating:
Summary: unknown characters in a known world
Review: Xavier (Romain Duris) comes to Barcelona as an exchange student and his life changes. He is in this apartment with 6 other students who have varied interest and view points. Even though the cover shows Audrey Tautou but she only plays a small role in this movie. This movie is all about Romain Duris.
The movie is captivating and photography is excellent. It shows the years of adolescence when we are al confused and searching between Che and Kennedy to find our heroes. Highly enjoyable movie.
Rating:
Summary: Very Real Story For Anyone Who's Lived Abroad
Review: I don't agree with the reviewers who say this film is frivolous or not 'deep.' It certainly is meaningful for me. I have studied abroad twice-a summer in Costa Rica and a semester in Mexico--and the experiences of Xavier really struck a chord with me--I lived so many of the things he does in the film. It's about self-discovery, feeling stuck between two cultures, and learning about life. Xavier's return to Paris after a year in Barcelona reminded me of my experience with readjustment to life in the U.S. It was a big let down, and I felt like no one really understood--exactly what happens to Xavier. It's a very funny movie, capturing all the wonderful experiences and life lessons that we can only have by living abroad....I highly recommend this film.
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