Disco, Ibiza, Locomía review: A glossy but earnest musical biopic 

Disco, Ibiza, Locomía is a Spanish biographical film that ventures into the glossy and extravagant world of 80s Spanish music and tells the story of one of the most popular musical groups of that era. The Netflix film is directed by Kike Maíllo from a screenplay that he co-wrote with Marta Libertad.

The Balearic island of Ibiza, known for its scenic beauty and dazzling atmosphere, becomes the prime setting for the film. During the disco era of the 80s, this island was the epicenter for the people seeking hedonistic pleasure through music, dance, drugs, and s*x.

The electrifying and attractive music and performances of Locomia played an important role in popularising Ibiza and Spanish disco worldwide. The film tells the story of the rise of Locomía and how they became what they are. Disco, Ibiza, Locomía features Jaime Lorente, Blanca Suárez, Alberto Ammann, and Alejandro Speitzer in prominent roles.

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Disco, Ibiza, Locomía is engaging for the most part

The film chronicles a group of friends who become interested in the music and culture of Ibiza and develop a unique style of performance that makes them popular among the local population. Soon, they meet a visionary music producer, Jose Luis Gil, who turns their talent into a profitable brand that sweeps across the European continent and reaches beyond the Mediterranean.

The characters in the film are multifaceted and hide their pain behind their colorful fans. The world of music is relentless and unforgiving. It leaves behind anyone who doesn't catch up to the constantly changing trajectory, as happened to multiple members of Locomía.

In 1982, Gard Passchier and Luis Font were replaced by Juan Antonio Fuentes and Carlos Armas. Later, even Xavier Font was replaced by Francesc Picas. However, the film never bores audiences with a documentary-style information marathon; rather, it focuses on the golden era of disco and the vibrant culture of Spanish music.

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The films boast unique aesthetics and powerful performances

Disco, Ibiza, Locomía is beautifully lit and shot by cinematographer Marc Miro. The music composer Camilla Uboldi smartly uses the original music by Locomía and blends it perfectly with a decent score. Viewers will always find themselves either admiring the aesthetic quality of the film or thumping their feet into the iconic 80s music.

Jamie Lorente, the actor known for playing Denver in Netflix's Money Heist, is playing Xavier Font, the shy and slightly underconfident founding member of Locomía. He is always nervous at the beginning of every performance but always leaves his mark by the end of the performance.

Alejandro Speitzer, who played Dario in Netflix's Dark Desire, shines as Carlos, the natural performer who owns the stage while performing. Blanca Suárez as Lurdes Iríbar, Albert Baró as Fuentes, and Alberto Ammann as music producer José Luis Gil also put their best foot forward.

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Disco, Ibiza, Locomía heartfelt homage to the iconic group

The band rose to popularity in the same era when Kaoma's dance hit, Lambada, and similar types of music were extremely popular across Europe. Still, Locomía was able to intrigue the eyes and ears of their fans through their unique style and electrifying performances.

The film mostly tries to stay away from the standard biopic tropes of struggle, rise, and then fall from grace. Instead, it focuses on the uniqueness of each group member, their motivations and desires, and how their personalities and talents changed the scope of Spanish music.

Disco, Ibiza, Locomía gives a heartfelt homage to the group while also making the viewers nostalgic about the bygone era of 80s disco and the eccentric and flamboyant culture of Ibiza. While it's not possible to get the 80s culture and music back, you can surely explore it through this film.

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Disco, Ibiza, Locomía is currently streaming on Netflix.