![]() |
Vivid, baroque colors adorn this delicious-looking poster for Fernando Trueba's Belle Époque |
A young, very delectable deserter from the Spanish Civil War spends the summer of 1931 at the estate of a good-natured, elderly gentleman, whose four, beautiful daughters take turns entertaining the young man.
Belle Èpoque is written by Rafael Azcona (La Marcha Verde (2002)), with José Luis García Sánchez (El Rey del Río (1995)) and co-writer/director, great Spanish filmmaker Fernando Trueba (Opera Prima/Ópera Prima (1980)) contributing story elements.
It is a magnificent film, which carries on the exquisite cinematic tradition in Spain for creating highly appealing stories that portray themselves as a passionate and liberal people. - Especially with this tale, most non-Spaniards will become enchanted in the people and likely feel not a little dose of jealousy as an unavoidable side-effect.
The young man is played by Jorge Sanz (Lovers (1991)), and among the lovely, courting girls are a very young, petite Penélope Cruz (Volver (2006)). All the acting performances and the whole atmosphere of the very picturesque and sexy film warms you up, - and the film is an especially good pick for a cold winter night.
Belle Époque makes you want to move to Spain. It is simple and lovely, a real treat.
Related post:
Fernando Trueba: 1992 in films - according to Film Excess
Cost: Unknown
Box office: In excess of 11 mil. $ (Spain and North America alone)
= Uncertain
[Belle Époque was released 4 December (Spain) and runs 109 minutes. Shooting took place from July - August 1992 in Portugal, including in Lisbon. The film was the year's highest-grossing local film in Spain and grossed 5.4 mil. $ in North America. Just over 2,000 bought tickets to the film in 2002 when it finally debuted in Denmark. A gross total is not possible to ascertain with only these figures, and the film's cost is also not disclosed regrettably. The film won the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar, was nominated for a BAFTA and won 9/17 Goya award nominations, among other honors. Roger Ebert gave the film a 3.5/4 star review, equal in rating to this one. Trueba returned with El Trio en mi Bemoll (1993, TV movie) and theatrically with Two Much (1995). Sanz returned in Evilio (1992, short), Hora Final (1992, short) and theatrically in ¿Por qué lo Llaman Amor cuando Quieren Decir Sexo? (1993); Cruz in Framed (1992, miniseries) and theatrically in El Laberinto Griego (1993). Belle Époque is fresh at 95 % with a 7.40/10 critical average at Rotten Tomatoes.]
What do you think of Belle Époque?
No comments:
Post a Comment