Os Amantes

"Amantes" is a beautifully shot film with 3 gorgeous stars in the lead roles.

The central triangle is reminiscent of another fine film, 1951's "A Place in the Sun," which was also based on a true story.

The final scene, with Paco searching for Louisa at the train station, is particuarly striking. It will stick in my memory for a long time.

Pure country catholic virginal Spanish innocent girl meets hot sexy mature land lady who's after her boy. Of course it all ends in disaster because these guys are Spanish. This film is very moving for young Spanish girls because they recognize real life here. It says you can experience freedom through sex but you have to know what you're doing. Unfortunately Spanish mothers are very conservative and you're lucky if they tell you about the "curse". A nasty surprise for girls. In this film it may be tenfold, so Spanish mothers, get a grip and educate! If not, light a candle and pray because the world is changing even in Spain. Sex is healthy and normal. Punishment is weird! Isn't it? My girlfriend is Spanish and she knows what this film means.

there is the fact that is based on a true story. If I had to choose one modern spanish movie to see this would be the one. There is the young soldier that is in love with a pure and virgin girl (marivel verdu), then there is the older woman (Victoria Abril), not so naive that has been around quite a bit and knows "the business" she is also older. the soldier (alejandro sanz) is in between them and that both woman try to do to get his attention and they are all in a love triangle, hard to describe, sometimes is disturbing, sometimes is passionate and above all all the actors are outstanding! the director has done a very fine job, very deep, very impressive, and by all means one of the most underrated spanish movies of all.

It's the 1950's Madrid. Paco (Jorge Sanz) is getting out of the army and set to marry his commander's nanny/maid Trini (Maribel Verdú). She is saving herself for marriage and sends him to Luisa (Victoria Abril) to rent a room. He starts a factory job. Luisa seduces him and they have a torrid affair. Trini senses the affair and tries to win him back by sleeping with him.

Victoria Abril is amazing. She is wondrous and does powerful acting. Maribel Verdú is a nice foil to her. Jorge Sanz faces the tougher task of playing the weaker sex and he does a great job. This is a movie of these three terrific actors in compelling performances.

The actors make this movie in every way. These are not roles for lightweights and so the choice of Victoria Abril, for example, was classic. I've only ever seen in her Almodovar or French movies in which she plays the beautiful slut. I wasn't familiar with the other actors - the young soldier and his girlfriend - but they played their roles to perfection. The sex scenes are erotic enough to distract you from the plot. In a way, that mirrors what is happening to the young soldier. He is being distracted from what's important in his life when he becomes involved with the corrupt sexy Abril.

What a dark, wonderful movie!