The Odd Job Men (Seis Dias Corrientes)

Filmed in Barcelona with a mixture of Spanish, Catalan and Arabic The Odd Job Men is a curious affair that comes over as a slice of life in that city with a little insight into people trying to make a life for themselves there, both indigenous and immigrant.

Moha (Mohamed Mellali) turns up for a job mispronouncing the name of the company and almost immediately getting on the wrong side of Valero (Valero Escolar) one the employees of a firm that basically deals in small scale electrical, plumbing building work. Moha receives a better reception from boss Pep (Pep Sarra) who is ready to retire and needs someone to replace him.

So reluctantly the three set off and over six days find themselves variously locked out of an apartment by mischievous twins, Valero messing up an air-conditioner job in a studio, while Moha is cajoled into modelling drills by the photographer and Pep ending up in an off-screen fight when he argues with builders who have done a poor job.

Interspersed with these adventures, Valero is concerned about his future and health, Moha is studying Catalan to the bemusement of his Moroccan flat-mates and Pep is easing into retirement.

Its all very gentle and amusing rather than belly laughs in Neus Ballús (co-written with Margarita Melgar) film about three men just trying to get on with life. That is its insecurities, prejudices and quirks.

Moha’s narration is appropriate as the film takes a very observational perspective on the three men, with Ballús giving them space to develop. Which is good as there’s not much of a story here to carry the film. The success, or otherwise, of The Odd Job Men relies on the viewer’s response to the characters of the men, as they get to know and used to each other. And they are likable in this affable comedy.

The Odd Job Men was presented at the London Spanish Film Festival.