stevenfain

I found this at the Seattle Public Library, looking for a similarly-named fictional movie.

The documentary is not introduced. The film just jumps right into the story of a family running their own Shaky's pizza business. It exposes the viewer to personal dialog, and work and private behavior - all focused on demonstrating how hard it is to run a small business. Especially a restaurant.

Effective. This is not meant to be too effusive, for it's an hour and a half long, and seems to go on an on. However, in that regard it mimics the struggle the family is going through.

The movie within the movie - a concept done many times in the history of cinema. It is accomplished here as well as in any.

If you love Carmen, you'll love this version.

If you love flamenco, you'll love this version.

The plot of the classic opera is played out in the actual rehearsal of the opera by a flamenco troupe. The music is authentic. The direction wonderful.

If you like dancing, you'll love this version.

There is tragedy. There is passion. There is intrigue.

There is...

Carmen.

This movie has so many elements going for it that it's hard to present them in review format. At the minimum, there are intertwined character portrayals that are so carefully and seamlessly interwoven that they cannot be separated. Truly, the whole is greater than the parts.

Two families become one, for a short, intense period of time. Two cultures. A husband and wife on the cusp of disaster. Two young girls, both needing reinforcement and hope. A mother, having lived her own disaster, watching her daughter's unfold, and able to do something about it. Love.

It's all there. You have but to watch. And enjoy.