‘The Black Ball’ Review: The Spirit of Lorca Binds Gay Men Across a Century in an Ambitious but Distended Drama
'The Black Ball' is a film that intertwines the lives of gay men across different decades, inspired by the spirit of poet Federico García Lorca. Directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, the film blends literary mystery with a queer elegy, though it often leans towards melodrama. While it showcases ambitious storytelling, its lengthy runtime and two-dimensional characters may detract from the overall experience.
- ▪The film is set in the years 1932, 1937, and 2017, exploring the suppressed inner lives of gay men.
- ▪It features a narrative inspired by Lorca's unfinished work, focusing on themes of acceptance and rejection.
- ▪Despite its ambitious approach, the film has been criticized for its lengthy runtime and lack of character depth.
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Home Film Reviews May 21, 2026 9:50am PT ‘The Black Ball’ Review: The Spirit of Lorca Binds Gay Men Across a Century in an Ambitious but Distended Drama Spanish duo Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi's Cannes competition entry is part literary mystery and part queer elegy, lyrical in patches and turgid in others. By Guy Lodge Plus Icon Guy Lodge Film Critic @guylodge Latest ‘I’ll Be Gone in June’ Review: European and American Sensibilities Collide in a Sensitive, Sharply Sensory Coming-of-Ager 1 day ago ‘La Perra’ Review: Dominga Sotomayor Shores Up Her Reputation With an Elegant, Unsentimental Story of Trauma and Healing 1 day ago ‘Bitter Christmas’ Review: Pedro Almodóvar’s Playful New Film Nests Stories Within Stories, and Alter Egos Within Alter Egos 2 days ago See All Cannes Film…
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