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What's After the Movie?
Comedy drama

4L (2019): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

4L (2019) movie poster

4L is a 2019 comedy drama directed by Gerardo Olivares, starring Jean Reno as Jean Pierre, Hovik Keuchkerian and Enrique San Francisco. It runs 1 hour 45 minutes and earned $400,530 worldwide on a $3 million budget. Its Echo Score is 76/100.

worldwide gross
$400.5K
Echo Score
76
budget
$3M
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4L (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 45m (105 min)
Director
Gerardo Olivares
Genres
Comedy , Drama
Original language
Spanish
Budget
$3M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is 4L About?

The premise of 4L without spoilers.

To fulfill a dying friend's wish, two old companions, Jean Pierre and Tocho, embark on a poignant journey across the Sahara desert. They travel from Spain to Mali with Joseba's daughter, Ely, hoping to reunite him with his loved ones before it’s too late. The harsh beauty of the desert landscape underscores their emotional quest and the importance of connection in the face of loss.

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Cast & crew

4L Cast & Characters

Jean Reno leads the cast as Jean Pierre, with Hovik Keuchkerian as Tocho and Enrique San Francisco as Joseba. Directed by Gerardo Olivares; 7 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in 4L

· 3 more
From the director

More from Gerardo Olivares

More films directed by Gerardo Olivares, best-rated first: Brothers of the Wind, Two Catalonias, 100 Days of Solitude and 100 Days of Loneliness.

Full filmography
Ratings

4L Reviews & Ratings

Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in art & craft (85) and weakest in story & flow (65).

76 /100

4L Echo Score Breakdown

The film’s primary appeal lies in its vivid desert scenery and upbeat, feel‑good tone, which many reviewers cite as a highlight. However, several critics point to uneven pacing and under‑developed characters that diminish narrative depth. The overall sentiment is moderately positive, with the visual and musical strengths outweighing the story’s shortcomings, resulting in a solid, if not exceptional, viewing experience.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of direction and cinematography, the film is widely praised for its striking desert landscapes and competent direction by Gerardo Olivares. Reviewers note the spectacular visual composition captured in Gran Canaria and Morocco, as well as smooth editing that supports the road‑trip flow. This strong visual craftsmanship forms a solid artistic foundation for the movie.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, the ensemble cast receives commendation for chemistry and several nuanced performances, especially from veteran actors. Nonetheless, some reviewers describe the dialogue and character depth as thin, with certain roles feeling unengaging. The mixed reactions result in a modestly positive assessment of the film’s character work.

  • Story & Flow 65

    The story’s premise—a nostalgic road‑trip across the Sahara—is seen as appealing and enjoyable, yet many critics highlight a lack of narrative substance and uneven pacing, especially after the opening segment. While the plot remains coherent, its modest originality and occasional sluggishness lower its overall impact, placing the story in a lukewarm range.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    Sensory experience stands out thanks to a praised musical score featuring thirteen songs and effective sound design that enhances the desert atmosphere. Visual style, including the iconic Renault 4L and vivid color palette, receives consistent acclaim. These auditory and visual elements combine to create an immersive sensory landscape throughout the film.

  • Rewatch Factor 75

    Rewatch factor is bolstered by the film’s feel‑good nature and family‑friendly tone, which many viewers find enjoyable on repeat viewings. While some critics suggest they would speed through the slower sections, the overall pleasantness and scenic allure encourage a reasonable likelihood of returning to the movie.

Box office

4L Box Office & Budget

4L grossed $400,530 worldwide on a $3 million budget, 13% of what it cost.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$400.5K

13% of its budget back

International
$400.5K
Budget
$3M
Details

4L Also Known As

7 alternative titles, including “גרוטאה בסהרה” and “Négy keréken”.

Also known as
  • גרוטאה בסהרה
  • Négy keréken
  • 4 Latas
  • R4
  • 4 кутии
  • 四罐
  • Renault 4

Seen 4L?

FAQ

4L FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, post-credit scenes and language of 4L, each answered in a sentence.

How long is 4L?

4L runs 1 hour 45 minutes (105 minutes).

When was 4L released?

4L was released on March 1, 2019.

Who directed 4L?

4L was directed by Gerardo Olivares.

More films by Gerardo Olivares

Who is in the cast of 4L?

4L stars Jean Reno as Jean Pierre, Hovik Keuchkerian as Tocho and Enrique San Francisco as Joseba, among 7 credited actors.

How much did 4L make at the box office?

4L grossed $400,530 worldwide on a budget of $3 million.

Does 4L have a post-credit scene?

No. 4L has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is 4L in?

The original language of 4L is Spanish.

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