Review of Belle Époque (1992) by Mark A — 19 Feb 2009
A rollicking good bedroom farce. Fernando (Jorge Sanz), an army deserter just prior to the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, finds himself the beneficiary of the hospitality of Manolo (Fernando Fernan Gomez).
The arrival of Manolo's four lovely daughters sets the story in motion. A young Penelope Cruz plays Luz, the youngest daughter. Rocio (Maribel Verdú) is being wooed by a young man from the village.
Violeta (Ariadna Gil) is the mannish second eldest who was raised as a boy until puberty. And Clara (Miriam Diaz Aroca) is the eldest, a widow whose husband drowned in the river the previous summer. Think of all the old farmer's daughter jokes and you begin to see the possibilities here.
Which young beauty will Fernando choose? Each of the women take their turn, and the lack of sibling jealousy is remarkable. Several laugh out loud moments throughout. The arrival of the girls' mother (an opera singer) with her manager sets the final series of events in motion.
And in the end, everyone seems content as Manolo is left alone again in the village. One can get a glimpse of the star quality of Miss Cruz here, before Hollywood got her in its clutches. All of the girls are quite lovely, but Penelope practically glows.
Excellente!
This review of Belle Époque (1992) was written by Mark A on 19 Feb 2009.
Belle Époque has generally received positive reviews.
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