Entre las piernas

You never know what you're going to expect when you watch this quirky Spanish flick. There are some obvious moments that are (Pedro) Almodavar and some are (Julio) Medem, which should come as no surprise as the actors in this show have worked with the above directors. Sex, suspense, comedy, drama - it's all here rolled into one. An engaging film that leaves you smiling after you come out of the cinema.

What I liked about this picture: the cool camera-work (airport lounges have rarely been as attractive, and there are evocative scenes in toilets and bedrooms); the music, always urgent and involving even if it owes much to Bernard Herrman; the identity of the transsexual character is well integrated into the story, not an add-on (I thought of Jaye Davidson in The Crying Game).

What I didn't like: the red herrings in the story line, meant to throw us off the scent but only serving to annoy the viewer; the large number of characters that makes following the plot all the harder.

What kept me watching was Victoria Abril, playing the detective's wife with a panache that made me regret she has not made more films we can see in North America.

The point that sex can become a dangerous addiction is not made in a very convincing manner in this film. After starting with a session of a class for curing sexual addiction, the movie focuses on a variety of problems faced by most of the characters, none of whom are very interesting people. At two hours or more the film drags along. Attempts at injecting suspense are pitifully weak. The viewer does think of what Hitchcock would have done with this material, beginning with a clean straight story line, but in the end all one can think is "I saw Hitchcock suspense films and this has no Hitchcock suspense, only clumsy attempts at imitation." A final question: when the leading lady boards the plane holding her little dog is that a suggestion that she will continue taking the dog out when she seeks another man? That everything will continue in much the same way?

This film is very interesting for those who likes sexi-thrillers, Miss Abril reinforces herself as a super spanish star, and as usual, she fills the screen with a strong personality that communicates with the audience not only with a superb performance but with her eyes, voice, and as the film title calls, with her legs.

It could be the best use for 4 bucks! (Standard ticket price in México)

When I read the title and a short description in a Budapest program magazine, I prepared for a darkly erotic love story. "Entre las piernas" did have such elements, of course, but still turned out to be something completely different.

As soon as the (beautifully designed) titles started, it became evident for me that this film was going to be a hommage to Hitchcock an his films. The same everyday beginning that entails lots of unexpected turns; the same play with identity and culpability, the same insecure atmosphere where things happen to the characters that destroy their everyday world - even the music was Bernard Herrmann-style! Of course, directing and camerawork were not at all on the same level than in Hitchcock's films, but the perfect screenplay was indeed. The actors were also great and seemed to like their roles. I didn't like Javier Bardem in "Before Night Falls" but here he was really cute... :)

I would absolutely recommend this film to everyone who likes clever psychological thrillers and also to all people who love Hitchcock's films and are familiar with his work.