I went into this Spanish flick without realizing it had a strong comedic element, mainly in the crazy priest's sidekick. That was a distraction for me. Personally, what I got from "El Dia" was the character study of a delusional man who swears the end of the world is nigh. Really, regarding history, how many delusional cults have come and gone prophesizing the end of the world? From Jonestown to Heaven's Gate, it seemingly never ends. Such confused, twisted, misguided, delusional, mistakenly committed people are to be pitied. Still, if they keep their craziness to themselves and not force their off-the-wall beliefs onto other people, then it's okay.
Another element of the film that struck me as very interesting is how Madrid resembled sleazy Manhattan of the 70's and 80's. It's almost as if I was waiting for Taxi Driver Travis Bickle to suddenly leap out of one of the cabs and start shooting up the place. I mean, all the elements were in place - homeless folks, heavy metal mania, drugs, porn palaces, graffiti, endless violence. All that was missing were three-card monte hustlers and drug addicts constantly cleaning the windshields of unsuspecting drivers with their trusty squeegees in return for money. "Day of the Beast" wasn't bad, actually. A lot of work went and is therefore recommended.
Another element of the film that struck me as very interesting is how Madrid resembled sleazy Manhattan of the 70's and 80's. It's almost as if I was waiting for Taxi Driver Travis Bickle to suddenly leap out of one of the cabs and start shooting up the place. I mean, all the elements were in place - homeless folks, heavy metal mania, drugs, porn palaces, graffiti, endless violence. All that was missing were three-card monte hustlers and drug addicts constantly cleaning the windshields of unsuspecting drivers with their trusty squeegees in return for money. "Day of the Beast" wasn't bad, actually. A lot of work went and is therefore recommended.