Moving as well as hilarious tale of a stand-in that arranges to remain enjoyable and including endearing historical touches with uneven dramatic pace . The story is set in the late 40's , in Spain . This parody about a Franco's double deals with the humble and mature owner of an orthopedics shop in street of Fuencarral -Madrid- , called Paulino (José Soriano) , he is a good man who lives happily with his spouse Emilia (by recently deceased Chus Lampreave , Goya winner , and in her longest role) and usually goes to a brothel . Paulino , then , is abducted and separated to his wife by a mysterious bunch led by Alberto Sinsoles (Jose Satazornil , Saza) . Due to an uncanny similarity with Generalisimo Franco , he has been "selected" for the highly secret mission named "Operation Janus" , to provide a double for Franco for risked moments . As he has to represent the "Caudillo" with a detailed study , being trained by Sinsoles who refuses to let him ever see his wife again . In fact , the name of main character of this movie , results to be Paulino which was Franco's real second name . As Paulino is a poor man who progressively must become his double , as his resemblance to Franco is perfect , characterized brilliantly , showing his rigorous personality . As Franco is replaced by Paulino to inaugurate reservoirs , electric plants , mines , religious celebrations and military parades . He has to live in "Palace of El Pardo¨ in which takes place entanglement situations .
Funny and charming Spanish Dramedy about a man forced to become a double of Francisco Franco that contains remarkably positive attitudes , full of bewildering events , entertainment , amusement and fun situations . It's an agreeable , stirring film in which there is a marvelous love story between Jose Soriano/Paulino and Chus Lampreave/Emilia , where hope survive all , being perfectly acted and concerning the narration about a main premise : Did Franco have a doublé ? , as he disappeared for the external world , as he is kidnapped , what happened to him? . It has a brilliant idea , but uneven pacing with its ups and downs , being sometimes wasted and overlong . Screenwriters Mercero , Román Gubern and Horacio Valcárcel took as a basis for the script , the hypothesis of the rumor that Franco served a double to attend the less secure events or replace him when he did not want to show himself in public . After Juan Diego in ¨Dragon Rapide¨ (1986) by Jaime Camino , also written by Roman Gubern , and before Juan Echanove in ¨Madregilda¨(1993) by Francisco Regueiro , in ¨Esperame en El Cielo¨ stands out the Argentine Jose Soriano as second actor who played the aging dictator Francisco Franco .
Atmospheric as well as attractive musical score by Carmelo Bernaola , including the catching song by Antonio Machin that gives the backdrop and movie title : "Espérame en el Cielo" or ¨Wait for Me in Heaven¨. Evocative and appropriate cinematography by Manuel Rojas . Being shot on location in El Ferrol , A Coruña, Galicia , La Felguera , Asturias , Pantano Entrepeñas , Guadalajara , Castilla-La Mancha , Valle De Los Caídos , Royal Palace , Palacio del Pardo , Madrid . This highly good natured comedy with brief touches of drama titled ¨Esperame En El Cielo¨ was professionally written and directed by Antonio Mercero and resulted to get a big success at Spanish Box office . Mercero is a author of great hits TV series and several award-winning films . In 1970 he started working for TV as he filmed several documentaries and some chapters for the series "Crónicas Un Pueblo" or ¨Chronicles of a village¨(1971) , a big hit in Spain despite its deep ideological content , risky for the period it was made in ; and specially successful was ¨The phone booth¨ (1970) (TV) , a TV cult movie , which won 10 national and international awards , including the Emmy Award in 1973 . Then he realized ¨Los Pajaritos¨ (1973) , ¨Gioconda is sad¨ (1975) , the series "Ese Señor De Negro" or ¨That man in black¨ (1975), ¨La Noche del Licenciado¨ (1978), and his three biggest hit smashes : ¨Turno Oficio¨ TV series about advocates in law , "Blue summer¨ or ¨Verano Azul" (1978) which became a sociological phenomenon and "Farmacia De Guardia" (1990) about an Apotheke . Other important film directed by Mercero was ¨Don Juan Querido Fantasma¨ , an amusing comedy well performed by Juan Luis Galiardo . Nowdays , he still works for TV as ¨Manolito Gafotas¨ series and some of his latest work in cinema have been ¨Guerra De Papa¨, ¨Esperame en Cielo¨ , ¨The treasure¨ and ¨Hora De Los Valiantes¨ about the Spanish Civil War . His last film was ¨? Y Tu Quién Eres?¨ about Alzheimer illness and starred by Manuel Alexandre . Rating : Better than average , 6.5/10 . Well worth seeing .
