Belle Epoque

Fernando Trueba's enchanting 'Belle Epoque' is a delightful little 'folktale' that is lyrical, sensual, hilarious, whimsical and human. Azcona's cleverly written screenplay is rich with wit, sarcasm and history. In addition to that the film also looks beautiful and authentic (compared to the overload of glossy look in a majority of films).

Set in a country farm, it tells the story of a young soldier (Jorge Sanz), a deserter, who escapes and finds solace at Manolo's (Fernando Fernán Gómez) house where he falls for his four daughters, the widow (Miriam Díaz-Aroca), the lesbian (Ariadna Gil), the belle (Maribel Verdú) and the virgin (Penélope Cruz). On the surface the story sounds may sound odd but it's splendidly quirky. It successfully avoids the 'cliches' that are so evident in many European films that make it to the so-called international platform begging for a best foreign language Oscar (even though 'Belle Epoque' won it in 1993).

The storytelling here, for one, feels very natural and not one scene looks forced. The editing smoothens things finely and the score is first rate as it gives 'Belle Epoque' that final whimsical touch.

All the actors do a superb job. Fernando Fernán Gómez is very likable as the patron of the family. Miriam Díaz-Aroca, Ariadna Gil, Maribel Verdú and Penélope Cruz are excellent as the stunning looking daughters. Jorge Sanz is great as the naive hero and Gabino Diego provides wonderful comic relief.

In the end, 'Belle Epoque' is a delicious combination of humour, music, sex, romance, self-discovery and adventure, a celebration of life itself.

Belle Epoque is one of those movies you don't see every weekend at the theatre. It is a film set in a certain age (in this case: Spain during the times of the civil war), where the age itself is not very important, but it effects the way the story evolves. The best thing of all in this film is the acting and the comedy. The farce is excellent - hardly ever seen a film with such intelligent humourism. The first time I saw the film was in Spanish and I laughed my guts out (even though I do not know Spanish a lot ). The story too is not too complicated and at the same time it is not at all banal. The highlight of the film, in my opinion, is when the wife of Manolo goes to visit him and starts singing an aria from some opera. Some of the comic highlights of this movie are when Rojio is asked to try her mother-in-law -to-be's wedding dress and when Juanito enters her bed. The best quote from the film is Clara's: "A Woman cannot stay without a man, especially at night." Anyway, just about everything about this movie is great. Well, in short, WATCH IT

Comical (farce at times), deeply human movie about an army deserter who meets up with a kindly, old, artistic gent who offers him refuge. The deserter is packed up and ready to go, until the artist's four beautiful daughters arrive. This sets in motion a plot that will keep you laughing, dialogue that will keep you thinking and characters that will keep you entertained. The humor is not forced and the chuckle is at life's absurdities, politics, most of all, human nature. Momma's entrance into the story is unique and melodic, to say the least. The movie is kind of kooky and not a by-the-numbers flick, and a satisfying watch. Sidebar: It did get the Oscar nod for Best Foreign Film.

Belle Epoque is a light, wistful romantic comedy, easy to watch, and easier to love. It is set in glorious pre-Franco Spain and is as beautifully filmed as it is written and acted.

The story entails (in a nutshell) a young army deserter who befriends an older man who is an artist and a self-proclaimed anarchist. The old man has four beautiful daughters and film carries you along as our young hero falls in love with each in order.

Belle Epoque is one of those rare gems that does not stray from its purpose - to be a celebration of love and romance and comic tale of a young soldier controlled by his libido. No violence, car chase scenes, drippy pre-packaged morality plays - just plain fun.

If you have not tried watching a sub-titled movie or have had little exposure to foreign films, start here. Belle Epoque is the best film I have seen out of Spain and an all-time personal favourite.

***1/2 out of ****.

Wow, what a terrific movie. I didn't expect much. I'm watching the end at 4:40am in the morning, and wondering why I haven't seen this movie before. It has something that you'll only find in a Spanish film. A type of humor that is missing in American movies, or maybe, just doesn't work in English. I don't know. All I know is that the movie is tremendously humorous. The actors are all fantastic. Penelope Cruz is, well, Penelope Cruz, but otherwise the movie is wonderful. DO NOT MISS IT.