Torremolinos 73

My wife is kinda obsessed with non-American filmography and she insists on watching every non-American movie on a theater near us. Well, I can't say I am a fan of Hollyweird myself - on the contrary - but I like the independents and on occasion I can even rent a blockbuster for a couple of popcorn hours at home.

So, she dragged me (almost literally) to said theater to watch "a Spanish comedy". She's an avid Almodovar fan (I am not) and so gets pretty much excited over Spanish films.

We went into the theater along with 15 (yes, fifteen) other spectators... not much of an atmosphere, huh? I was not fairly predisposed towards the film, to say the least.

After the two hours have passed, though, I was in love with this little gem! Torremolinos '73 is a very smart film, and has lots to give to any open-minded person, especially if said person has a decent knowledge of Bergman's films.

The first part is extremely funny. Especially the scenes with the couple shooting the ...educating movies, are hilarious. Irony is all over the place, subtle references to Frankist Spain are obvious to those who know what they should look about, but everything serves the purpose to have a good laugh, even if you have to actually think about the film to do so.

The second part is not as funny, but I almost wet myself while the aspiring director Bergman-wannabe shoots a number of scenes with his utterly talent-less wife, imitating every last cadre of a Bergman film! To sum this up: If you are not annoyed by ample nudity (I have to say this since IMDb is also accessed by... ahem... cultures not quite fond of nudity), you like witty (the Spanish way) humor and you are a bit of a Bergman-geek (does such an animal even exist???) you are going to adore Torremolinos '73, as I did.

Probably the best comedy (by far...) I watched this summer.

"Torremolinos 73" starts out looking like just another dreary dirge about the down-on-his-luck salesman whose soul is being crushed by the emptiness of his existence. Alfredo is struggling to provide for his wife, but failing. Door-to-door sales are being phased out.

Not to worry--his employer has an alternate plan. They will produce "scientific" films about Spanish reproduction customs for sales in Scandinavia.

I don't want to relate any more of the action, but the story turns into a light-hearted comedy about a married couple who truly love each other. By following an odd pathway--spurred by their need for money--they manage to achieve what each wants from life.

Some of the best touches are the use of iconic cinematic images in the filming of the titular film within this film.

Though some reviewers focus on political commentary within the film, this film can be enjoyed on a purely comedic level. Javier Camera, who plays Alfredo, is an affable everyman. Candela Pena, as his wife Carmen, is an unassuming woman who longs for the simple things in life. Together they are a likable couple whose happiness springs from their love for each other.

An amusing but insubstantial comedy about a door-to-door encyclopedia salesman whose firm 'diversifies' into encyclopedias on sexuality and accompanying videos. Funny enough, with acutely observed and realistic characters, but it needed something more in the second half to make it worth the time.

I found this to be a captivating and entertaining movie - great pains were taken to reproduce that 70's look and feel and it is totally convincing. While seemingly limited in their ambitions, the main characters are nevertheless sympathetic and there are some quirky sidekicks whose characters are fleshed out enough to be entertaining as well - everyone from the landlady, the boss, to the friend who drives. I also found myself seriously enjoying the director's X-rated version of an Ingmar Bergman film over the actual film it self. The woman doesn't have much ambition aside from being "womanly" but it is based on a true incident and hey it was the 70's in Spain.

When I saw the poster of "Torremolinos 73" at my favorite movie theater, it was clear: I had to see that movie.

I expected 90 minutes of bursting out laughing. Let's say, that wasn't exactly the case.

It sure has its moments of incredible comedy but, surprisingly, also moments of real tragedy and drama. I was quite stunned.

In the end, the story is absolutely original, I wouldn't know about anything similar, the actors all do a great job, the dialog is mostly very nice and all this ends up in a fine little piece of entertainment.

Not perfect, not amazing, but amusing and entertaining? Definitely!