A mi madre le gustan las mujeres

"My Mother Likes Women" is a subtitled Spanish comedy about what happens when a divorced middle aged Madrid mother introduces her three adult daughters to her new lover...a woman. Bemused at the mother's lesbian leanings the three daughters set about to cope with the situation which, of course, leads to a variety of contrived comic moments. Breezy, fun, bright, and well directed, this film is a showcase for Lenor Watling's worthy characterization of the middle daughter; the centerpiece of the film. "My Mother Likes Women" should appeal most to Watling fans, lesbians, females in general, and aficionados of Spanish cinema. Subtitle translations are below par. No nudity and should qualify for about a PG-13 rating for mature theme elements. (B)

Sofia is the loving mother of three daughters, a concert pianist, and a lesbian -- in that order.

Her recent discovery of her lesbian sexuality, and her relationship with Eliska, an illegal alien from the Czech Republic, is almost incidental to the film. It is certainly presented in a very matter-of-fact way, taken for granted as entirely natural and acceptable. It is not milked for titillation or homophobic humor.

In fact, despite this movie's title and marketing, the fact that Sofia likes women is merely the plot device that sets things in motion and drives the action of the film. (It is also the subject of the very catchy and bouncy title song.)

The real message here is that Sofia is totally in charge of every facet of her life -- something her three daughters emphatically are not. This is especially true of the middle daughter, Elvira. She is the heroine of "My Mother Likes Women".

Where Sofia is a creative artist, Elvira doubts her ability and keeps her first novel hidden in a drawer. Where Sofia is a passionate lover, Elvira screws up every relationship with a man, including her shrink.

By the end, however, Elvira learns to stand up for herself and go after what she wants in life -- and the audience stands up and cheers.

Leonor Watling shows her great talent for the comedy genre in this amusing, weel-made film which fails in portraying the central conflict. The lesbian relationship between the mother's character (Rosa Maria Sarda, wonderful as always)and her lover is totally unbelievable and artificial - they don't even kiss each other during the whole film! - and that affects the credibility of it all. You'll sure have a good time, but it's a real pity that the directors didn't hold the central subject with more bravery than that.

This is a comedy that is best flavored in its original language. Subtitles do not give full credit to the Spanish clever dialog. This is a movie for everyone. Who would not go crazy if your mother do something assumed drastic and unexpected? The reactions of Sofia's daughters when encountered with her mother's new love are funny, then dramatic but finally leveled at the end. I laughted most of the film and the mixed audience at the theater was laughing loud too. I liked the film because it is original and funny. The acting of Leonor Watling is superb. Leonor plays Elvira, the middle daughter of Sofia. Elvira has a bag of insecurities but her sensibility is more keen than that of her sisters. She will join Sol and Gimena, her sisters, in plotting to ruin their mothers love affair with Eliska. Eliska is a talented foreign pianist about the age of Elvira. The unexpected situations created are well presented in the film. This is a wonderful comedy.

Easy and good film, it's about love, not simply lesbian love: family love, male-female love, girl-girl love ... and sex? not at all (amusing film anyway). A well constructed comedy with a funny and beautiful Leonor Watling, great performance, without her the film will be less interesting, and the story is as I have said funny, see it and enjoy it.