Espérame en el cielo

Hard to believe so much time has passed, but I saw "Esperame en el Cielo" at the Chicago Film Festival seventeen years ago! This movie is consistently funny and highly good natured. Of all the movies I've ever seen at film festivals, this one remains one of my all time favorites.

The story revolves around Paulino Alonso, a seemingly typical man who has the misfortune to resemble Spain's dictator, Generalisimo Francisco Franco. The government kidnaps Paulino and forces him to train as a double for Franco.

Paulino's overly strict trainer (Alberto Sinsoles) refuses to let him ever see his wife again, or lead any sort of independent life. He is condemned to forever make public (and sometimes dangerous) appearances for Franco.

Paulino and his trainer are absolute opposites. Paulino is compassionate while Alberto is a egotistical and heartless martinet. On one occasion, Alberto unconvincingly reassures Paulino that the coal mine he is supposed to visit is safe. Paulino wants to know that Alberto is going to enter the mine too. Aberto's blustering answer: "OF COURSE!!!!!..................not". I don't want to divulge any surprises in this movie, so watch it for yourself. You'll love this truly charming movie.

One curious note: historians have concluded that Franco certainly must have had a double (maybe even more than one). They deduced this from historic records such as newspaper articles describing Franco visiting more places in one day than was possible for the transportation technology at the time. Almost simultaneously, Franco was supposedly in one town, but also in another town hundreds of miles away, with no airport! Therefore, some of those visits must have been made by a double for Franco.

Hence, this movie might actually be relating real life events. Makes the movie even more interesting, doesn't it?

This is the incredible story of Franco and his double, the double's wife and the humorous and dramatic events that occur. It's fiction, but it could have been true - we can wonder, even now. Great acting by everyone in the cast., and special applause for Chuz Lampeare I video taped this movie when I lived in Spain (Fuengirola, Malaga).I am now home in the U.S. I can't play my video on American TV circuitry. I have been looking everywhere for a copy of this tape that I can play here. I ask that any of you out there please let me know if you know of a copy of this movie (in Spanish) that I can buy. I will happily pay for the expense of having it copied into American circuitry. Thank you.

Moving as well as hilarious tale of a stand-in that arranges to remain enjoyable and including endearing historical touches with uneven dramatic pace . The story is set in the late 40's , in Spain . This parody about a Franco's double deals with the humble and mature owner of an orthopedics shop in street of Fuencarral -Madrid- , called Paulino (José Soriano) , he is a good man who lives happily with his spouse Emilia (by recently deceased Chus Lampreave , Goya winner , and in her longest role) and usually goes to a brothel . Paulino , then , is abducted and separated to his wife by a mysterious bunch led by Alberto Sinsoles (Jose Satazornil , Saza) . Due to an uncanny similarity with Generalisimo Franco , he has been "selected" for the highly secret mission named "Operation Janus" , to provide a double for Franco for risked moments . As he has to represent the "Caudillo" with a detailed study , being trained by Sinsoles who refuses to let him ever see his wife again . In fact , the name of main character of this movie , results to be Paulino which was Franco's real second name . As Paulino is a poor man who progressively must become his double , as his resemblance to Franco is perfect , characterized brilliantly , showing his rigorous personality . As Franco is replaced by Paulino to inaugurate reservoirs , electric plants , mines , religious celebrations and military parades . He has to live in "Palace of El Pardo¨ in which takes place entanglement situations .

Funny and charming Spanish Dramedy about a man forced to become a double of Francisco Franco that contains remarkably positive attitudes , full of bewildering events , entertainment , amusement and fun situations . It's an agreeable , stirring film in which there is a marvelous love story between Jose Soriano/Paulino and Chus Lampreave/Emilia , where hope survive all , being perfectly acted and concerning the narration about a main premise : Did Franco have a doublé ? , as he disappeared for the external world , as he is kidnapped , what happened to him? . It has a brilliant idea , but uneven pacing with its ups and downs , being sometimes wasted and overlong . Screenwriters Mercero , Román Gubern and Horacio Valcárcel took as a basis for the script , the hypothesis of the rumor that Franco served a double to attend the less secure events or replace him when he did not want to show himself in public . After Juan Diego in ¨Dragon Rapide¨ (1986) by Jaime Camino , also written by Roman Gubern , and before Juan Echanove in ¨Madregilda¨(1993) by Francisco Regueiro , in ¨Esperame en El Cielo¨ stands out the Argentine Jose Soriano as second actor who played the aging dictator Francisco Franco .

Atmospheric as well as attractive musical score by Carmelo Bernaola , including the catching song by Antonio Machin that gives the backdrop and movie title : "Espérame en el Cielo" or ¨Wait for Me in Heaven¨. Evocative and appropriate cinematography by Manuel Rojas . Being shot on location in El Ferrol , A Coruña, Galicia , La Felguera , Asturias , Pantano Entrepeñas , Guadalajara , Castilla-La Mancha , Valle De Los Caídos , Royal Palace , Palacio del Pardo , Madrid . This highly good natured comedy with brief touches of drama titled ¨Esperame En El Cielo¨ was professionally written and directed by Antonio Mercero and resulted to get a big success at Spanish Box office . Mercero is a author of great hits TV series and several award-winning films . In 1970 he started working for TV as he filmed several documentaries and some chapters for the series "Crónicas Un Pueblo" or ¨Chronicles of a village¨(1971) , a big hit in Spain despite its deep ideological content , risky for the period it was made in ; and specially successful was ¨The phone booth¨ (1970) (TV) , a TV cult movie , which won 10 national and international awards , including the Emmy Award in 1973 . Then he realized ¨Los Pajaritos¨ (1973) , ¨Gioconda is sad¨ (1975) , the series "Ese Señor De Negro" or ¨That man in black¨ (1975), ¨La Noche del Licenciado¨ (1978), and his three biggest hit smashes : ¨Turno Oficio¨ TV series about advocates in law , "Blue summer¨ or ¨Verano Azul" (1978) which became a sociological phenomenon and "Farmacia De Guardia" (1990) about an Apotheke . Other important film directed by Mercero was ¨Don Juan Querido Fantasma¨ , an amusing comedy well performed by Juan Luis Galiardo . Nowdays , he still works for TV as ¨Manolito Gafotas¨ series and some of his latest work in cinema have been ¨Guerra De Papa¨, ¨Esperame en Cielo¨ , ¨The treasure¨ and ¨Hora De Los Valiantes¨ about the Spanish Civil War . His last film was ¨? Y Tu Quién Eres?¨ about Alzheimer illness and starred by Manuel Alexandre . Rating : Better than average , 6.5/10 . Well worth seeing .