Dark Impulse (Spanish: Lo mejor de Eva)[1] is a 2012 Spanish erotic thriller film directed by Mariano Barroso, which stars Leonor Watling and Miguel Ángel Silvestre alongside Nathalie Poza, Adriana Ugarte, Helio Pedregal and Josean Bengoetxea.
| Dark Impulse | |
|---|---|
| Spanish | Lo mejor de Eva |
| Directed by | Mariano Barroso |
| Screenplay by |
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| Starring |
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| Cinematography | David Omedes |
| Edited by | Pablo Más |
| Music by | Arnau Bataller |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | Tripictures |
Release date |
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| Country | Spain |
| Language | Spanish |
Featuring the backdrop of corruption and careerism,[2] the plot tracks the relationship between Eva, an implacable judge, and Rocco, an alluring male prostitute serving as a protected witness.
The screenplay was penned by co-penned by Mariano Barroso and Alejandro Hernández.[4] Dark Impulse was produced by Telecinco Cinema and Lo mejor de Eva AIE production,[5] in collaboration with Malvarrosa Media, Sentido Films and Kasbah PC.[6] It was shot in Madrid and Valencia.[7] David Omedes was responsible for cinematography whereas Pablo Más served as film editor.[5] The film was scored by Arnau Bataller.[5] Shooting started in October 2010 and wrapped by December 2010.[8]
Distributed by Tripictures,[6] the film was theatrically released in Spain on 10 February 2012.
Nuria Vidal of Fotogramas rated the film with a 3 out of 5 stars score, highlighting the chemistry between the two leads as the film's best selling point, while pointing out at certain television movie resemblances as a negative point.[9]
Javier Ocaña of El País observed a linearity in the male prostitute's character (who starts the film the same way as he ends it) and the absence of a real climax, yet, imperfections and some sequences lacking in plausibility notwithstanding, considered the film "never slackens in its rhythm and it is commanded by a very adequate acting couple."[2]
Jordi Batlle Caminal of La Vanguardia gave Dark Impulse 2 out 5 stars, deeming it to be a "convincingly crafted film but unable of instilling emotions in the viewer", declaring to be amused by the final plot twist.[10]