La guerra de papá

Don't be misled by the low ratings: this is a movie to enjoy. The fantastic novel by Delibes gets turned here into a well-developed script with an especially terrific dialog work. A social allegory from the beginning to the end. Through the eyes of a "unthrowned prince", a 3-year-old boy, the movie portraits the dull pain of a whole society in change: the outdated family model, the new challenges against the old traditions, the nonsense of Franco's war-obsessed Spain, the fear of future changes and the muted discomfort and tension between all social classes. Even the innocence of a child is finally seen in disbelief, letting the viewer share the pain of an uncertain world. Great script, good acting (GREAT in the case of the incredible child actor Lolo García and the very young Verónica Forqué). A movie that portraits an era in Spain's history, a perfect document to any student of our "transition" to democracy.