One often has to take IMDB ratings with a grain of salt. A lump of salt in this case. The storyline follows predictable patterns, the acting so so, characters mostly one dimensional. If you want to watch a prison film that truly deserves its ratings, check out Carandiru (2003). You won't be disappointed. I promise...

A movie about corruption, friendship and why honor is more important than some fake uniform. The film is violent, dramatic but also really well done in direction and script with some great performances i'm not that big fan of movies that they are from other countries but my god this is easily one of the best ones i have ever seen a Guard becoming friends with an inmate? Cell 211 is a well made, well acted and well directed movie that showed me that not everything needs to be big and loud and have cgi in every scene if they ever top a Prison Break movie like this i will be happy but so far i don't think they can honestly. This movie gets an A + i had fun with it but also it was an amazing masterpiece!!!

Cell 211 (Celda 211 - Spanish title) is probably one of the most intense films that I have seen in a long time. It's a prison as well as as a psychological drama. It's angry, emotional, with a lot of Spanish wearing (I can't count how many times "Puta" is used in one context or another in this film) and save for a few flashbacks, there are hardly any happy moments in this film. The opening scene starts with the former inmate of Cell 211 slitting his wrists. We later fight out that he committed suicide due to the poor medical treatment he received for his brain tumour. We are then introduced to Juan Oliver, a young, handsome new prison guard who, keen to impress his new employers, arrives 1 day early to his new job. He is soon caught up in a prison riot, and pretends to be an inmate in order to survive. (Conveniently, at this prison, there are no uniforms, so that's how he manages to get away with it). From then on, we are exposed to the brutalities of the social order at the Zamora prison, both on the parts of the inmates and the guards. Intense, emotional and depressing. At times, also deeply disturbing. But with its political commentary back-drop, it makes you think about the prison systems, about the judgments society places on criminals and whether we are any better by treating them poorly. One of the best foreign films I've seen thus far, although certainly not the happiest.

Cell 211 tells you a gripping tale of how a new prison guard, Juan Oliver, gets thrown in the front line of two warring philosophies: government officials trying to keep peace and order against mistreated inmates with nothing left to lose but their time in jail. What started out as a day for Juan Oliver (Alberto Ammann) to make an impression at his new job became a matter of life and death in a den full of savage criminals. Will he ever make it out alive and see his pregnant wife, Elena? Notorious prison war leader Malamadre, translates as "Bad Mother" in English, starts the revolution as he successfully takes the keys from an unknowing guard, freeing all the prisoners on the block. Juan's first day at work is supposed to be for tomorrow but he went an unlucky day ahead for a tour. This ends up with him getting injured from falling concrete while the prisoners take over. Left by the guards in the infamous Cell 211, Juan realizes his situation and the adrenaline for survival kicks in. When discovered and taken out to meet Malamadre, Juan lies and makes the inmates believe that he is but another criminal serving time.Quick-witted and smart, Juan navigates his way into unknown territory playing on the side of the prisoners as they turn the crisis into a hostage situation. The cell block holds members of the 'terrorist' group ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna) and Malamadre uses this opportunity as a means for bargain. This brings the crisis to national attention instead of a localized one and the media experiences a blackout from what is truly happening inside the prison.Juan Oliver has to prove his worth as a new part of the group while posing undercover and trying to get his chance to escape. But he can't do this if he has Apache (Carlos Bardem), a snitch, watching his back all the time. How long can Juan keep his secret amidst a sea of the country's most wanted criminals? Let's just say, he knows how to deal with danger very well, having been in odd jobs before landing the prison route.Sharp, intense, and suspenseful, Cell 211 will keep you at the edge of your seat while making you cringe on specific gruesome scenes. It doesn't shy away from obvious character development ad consistency as you continue to root for Oliver and his attempts to free himself from the testosterone filled atmosphere. While focused on the thrilling and suffocating scenario, the flick also tackles the idea of trust and friendship. As the situation gets out of hand, a newly formed alliance is tested as Juan begins to question which side he is really on.Versatile actor Luis Tosar cements his reputation in this high-tension flick, playing the vicious yet sarcastic skinhead Malamadre. He has the ability to display several shades of his character in one scene through gestures and delivery of lines. Newcomer Alberto Ammann does not disappoint as he is able to take on the panic of being stuck in a life-threatening situation onto the screen. Marta Etura's presence increases the drama and tension of film, earning her a win for Best Supporting Actress. Based on their performances in the film, it is no doubt that the flick is deserving of its 8 wins in the Goya Awards (the Spanish version of the Oscars). Director Daniel Monzón has created a film that is sure to leave a lasting impression. I am eager to see more films from him in the future.Cell 211 is a highly suspenseful, Stockholm Syndrome inducing prison drama that will keep you juggling sides with what is LEGAL and what is RIGHT.