La corte de Faraón

I saw the movie in Madrid when it first premiered and I was amazed. Watched a few more times with friends of mine and all of us kept watching it and using lots of lines as a day to day issue. Also got hooked into Ana Belen's singing career. Very original story and great music (for the ones who love Zarzuela as I do).

There's lots of humor here, subtle and obvious. I'm sorry it's not in wider distribution in the States - I've seen a print with English subtitles, and it was very, very funny.

The stagehand's comment when Banderas is inadverdently exposed is by itself worth the price of admission.

It's simply hilarious! On the opening night, the actors, writer and producers of an "opereta" are arrested on the most far-fetched acussations. The story unfolds as the several characters make their affidavits: the impoverished actress engaged to the producer's wife's son (who is a Mama's boy and an homosexual); the monk forced by his superior to join the cast as the "Chaste Joseph" because the production is for charity purposes, the rich, bourgeoise producer and his diva of a wife, who appear to be conservative, religious and supporters of Franco's regime, when in fact they are immoral and anarchists. The most funny parts are Ana Belén's naïve attempts to seduce the "Chaste Joseph" (Banderas) and get him to marry her, instead of her foolish boyfriend, and her mother's fear that she will stay single for life, as she has already survived three boyfriends.

I recall seeing this movie during its initial New York City theatrical run, probably in 1986, at the Guild 50th St theater which was down the block from Radio City. After this movie, Banderas's movies directed by Almodovar began to get theatrical exhibitions is New York City. Indeed, I long misremembered this movie as being directed by Almodovar and starring Carmen Maura. Though it's not Almodovar and Maura is not present, the movie has all the comic flair of early Almodovar and is well worth seeing.

Everyone has their own side of the story. Franco's Entertainment Censorship Commission has a hard bone to chew with EL CASTO JOSE, operetta that, according to them, attacks the family values, church, Franco and even the laws of decency.

The whole ensemble has been taken by the police to be interrogated, and as everyone of them has a different point of view on the same subject, they all say different things and some truths that should have remained secret, come to light.

The young author, inspired by the classic zarzuela LA CORTE DE FARAON, has only expressed his feelings and made another version on the story of José and the Egyptian Pharaoh. Never intending to mock or ridicule the government or the church. But, as each one of them sees only what they want to see, they will stay there until everything gets cleared up. The good this is, they will do it while eating a huge paella, courtesy of Mr. Roque, the author's father.

The comedy is very agile, funny and well written. Banderas, Belén, López Vázquez, Fernán Gómez, and everybody else, are superb. Not to be missed either!