Amiable if muted Spanish comedy.
11 January 2010
Late and minor example of the work of one of the few directors from the Franco era to make any impression abroad. It's really too good natured to have the impact it needs. The battery of bad taste and political gags become muted - Sazatornil Saza showing up at the reconciliation diner held in La Modele jail, only to get the payment on his public loo installations approved, getting caught up in the action, the Fascist too arthritic to give the raised arm salute, the cook who pisses in the soup because it cuts the grease (only the governor's transvestite lover can produce a decent meal in the jail kitchen). I did enjoy the Amazonian chief, disillusioned with it all and wanting to get back to Sting. We get the Berlanga musical finale again.

It does have a couple of claims on our attention - an odd way of being played in sustained wide shots and fielding the material every one associates with Amodovar, complete with a nice number by Chus Lampreave. Antonio Resines is in there too even if he doesn't have much to do.

OK Eastmancolour production values.
2 out of 7 found this helpful. Was this review helpful? Sign in to vote.
Permalink

Recently Viewed