Villaviciosa de al lado

There's been a long time since I laughed this loud with a comedy. I found it highly entertaining and I loved the characters. The plot seems light on the surface, but trying to get the money from the lottery tickets after the men bought them in the whorehouse proves to be a more difficult task than expected. Every character here has a reason and is perfect. I recommend this comedy.

Written by a 10 years boy for his classmates. And on top of it all, the writer thinks he is the smarter in class. Cliche after cliche and on the nose information that makes you feel you are watching Sesame Street. This insult to the industry and the money it has cost is not only the writer's fault. The stupidity is all over: bright sunny days in winter time and during the nights, actors that drop their lines like a broadcaster or await their time to speak ignoring their surroundings. Every last person involved in this production should never work again. Even the clothes are not in accord for the season or the location. Shameful shameful shameful. Even for the low standards of Spanish films and specially Spanish comedies.

Lots of cliches and stereotypes, but well written, organized that worked together. Surprisingly good photography for this kind of comedy. I had a good time. To fully enjoy it, it will require good understanding of spaniards, and spanish culture.

A big hit on it's home turf there are concerns that this one may not travel - a sex comedy where the people talk dirty but there's no nudity. I hate those.

Plot developments are formula predictable. However the energy, bright colours and expert farceur cast get to be winning. The film's mean spirit proves equal opportunity The African priest manoeuvred onto breaking successive commandments gets more sympathy than the Madrid leftist who dragged his wife out of the big city to the dim backwater.

Plot offers small Spanish town Villaviciosa whose one industry, a run down spa, is failing until a syndicate lottery win offers salvation. Trouble is the husbands bought the ticket in the Club Mementos whore house and their wives will get to know if they claim. Farcical plans to get the cash cumulate in the Good Friday procession of the Holy Virgin.

Best know player in the ensemble is Carmen Machi from a couple of Almodovars and more significantly Álex de la Iglesia's MI GRAN NOCHE and El BAR.

Lazy writing that relies on worn out formulas and cliches. None of the jokes are funny. Every turn and twist in this film can be seen coming from miles.

Tired script formulas make this film look like painting by numbers. I can't stop thinking of the writers ticking things off from a list rather than trying to write something original or compelling.

Don't bother.