Una preciosa puesta de sol

This movie is worth watching alone for the performances of two legendary actresses Anna Torrent and Marisa Paredes, who interpret the screenplay with excellent knowledge of the psychological make up of their characters. This movie is about the tensions that exist between family members, about secret feelings of grudge and dislike, and love that overcomes them. It is about the impossibility to get along with each other, and yet about how family members can help each other solve their problems in life by functioning as a mirror to the feelings and worries that so easily get hidden behind the facades of everything being all right. The costumes worn by the lead actresses are strikingly beautiful, as are the settings: a luxury train, chic apartment, posh hotel, and in the background the beautiful landscape of Northern Spain. Sometimes the movie moves forward a bit slowly, especially during scenes when classical music is being played overlong. These scenes are pretentious and unnecessary. The power lies within the dialogue and settings, not the soundtrack.

Three generations of women come together at last during a trip to a resort in Northern Spain. The oldest woman, Rosario, is facing an imminent death that she hasn't told the others. The middle aged woman, Elena is fighting her own demons in dealing with an extra marital relationship that is tearing her apart. The youngest member of this trio, Beatriz, is at odds with her mother because the way she perceives their relationship undergoing a great impasse.

In spite of the serenity of the locale, it takes the trio to finally rehash their basic problems. The catalyst is Beatriz, the youngest member of the family, who brings peace to the equation. Rosario decides to be alone a few more days at a remote hotel in the mountains, and Elena returns home to her husband and responsibilities.

This film, directed and written by Alvaro del Amo offers an inside on many topics that are the basis for most European movies. The action reflects the state of mind of the three women who talk, walk, eat, fight and make nice after non communicating effectively.

The basic interest in the film were Marisa Paredes and Ana Torrent. Both have done better work before and after. Marta Larralde, who plays the young woman fares better since she is like a breath of fresh air in comparison to the other two, who up to this point have only regrets and remorse for things they haven't done well.

The beautiful scenery of the area of Northern Spain where the film was shot is about the best thing in the picture.