ReaderKenka Let's be realistic.

Stellead Don't listen to the Hype. It's awful

Ketrivie It isn't all that great, actually. Really cheesy and very predicable of how certain scenes are gonna turn play out. However, I guess that's the charm of it all, because I would consider this one of my guilty pleasures.

Brennan Camacho Mostly, the movie is committed to the value of a good time.

ma-cortes ¨La Gran Vida¨or ¨Living It Up¨ is a nice and nutty comedy well starred by Carmelo Gomez and Salma Hayek . This entertaining film packs amusement , slapstick , hilarious incidents , tongue-in-cheek , surrealist comedy including conventional pitfalls and many other things . It tells the story of a bus driver called Martin (Carmelo Gomez)on edge a nervous breakdown , when suddenly a strange man called Salva (Fernando or Chato Valverde) offers him some friendly advice , borrow 100 million pesetas from the Mafia and do everything he has ever dreamed of before ending his life , such as to blow on a final round of merrymaking before committing suicide , throwing on a famous bridge in Madrid . While spending the money he falls in love with Mexican waitress named Lola (Salma Hayek) and realizes now he has something to live for . The only problem is that now he has to find a way to pay back the 1 million he owes to the loan sharks . At the end he has to deal with dangerous hoodlums , but having spent the cash he is pursued by the Mafia , taking place fun situations . This is a slightly funny film with entertaining events , giggles , emotion , twists and a romantic love story ; being originally written by the prestigious screen-writer and filmmaker Fernando Leo De Aranoa . The film moves in fits and starts most of which would be desirable , with more traps the viewer resists any kind, and some moments of enjoyment and others quite a few ridiculous . It is a special Spanish comedy from the 2000s with the usual ingredients such as wild humor topped with a little bit of original touches here and there and the tone of the film is light-hearted . It's an agreeable , moving film , perfectly acted and concerning the narration about the relationship among a botcher driver , a Mexican waitress , a peculiar adviser and Mafia . This is a typical Spanish comedy from the 2000s with the customary ingredients such as silly humor , embarrassing events and close relationships among people , including an enjoyable romance. It turns out to be pleasantly fun that offers no intellectual stimulus whatsoever ; an exercise in pure amusement in which entertainment and fun are guaranteed . The characters are quite odd , grotesque and weird and the film races on at incredible speed . Sitting in a strange middle ground between the completely absurd and the stylishly cool . Nice acting Carmelo Gomez as a bus driver who when is on the verge of committing suicide borrows 100 million pesetas , and falls for a Mexican waitress finely performed by Salma Hayek and finds he has something to live for . Special mention to Fernando ¨Chato¨ Valverde as a rare adviser called Salva . Fine support cast such as Eusebio Lazaro , Carlos Bardem , Carlos Kaniowsky , Miguel Ayones , Alicia Agut , Txema Blasco , Pilar López De Ayala and special appearance by the great Paul Naschy or Jacinto Molina . On the surface, ¨La Gran Vida¨ doesn't get much wrong , it looks okay , the comedy misunderstandings pile up in a reasonably amusing fashion and the performance is acceptable . My feelings are extremely mixed but I must admit there are things I haven't been able to stop laughing about ; but also has the usual ups and downs .Including a spotless pictorial as well as colorful cinematography by Nestor Calvo (Atomica , Lobo , Nos Miran , Lobos De Washington , Años Barbaros , Miguel and William) , showing splendidly luxurious places such as Hotels , luxury restaurants and glamorous mansions from Madrid . Lively and catching musical score by Manuel Villalta (El Palo , Planta 4, Oro De Moscu , Nada En Nevera ,El Forastero) . The motion picture was compellingly directed by Antonio Cuadri who was born in Huelva (Andalucia) location where he shot his main and big-budgeted film titled ¨The heart of the earth¨ with an international cast . Cuadri is a fine craftsman with some hit , such as this ¨La Gran Vida¨ , ¨Eres Mi Heroe¨ and previously made a documentary titled ¨Riotinto (2004)¨. Nowadays , he only directs TV episodes (Cuentame, Manolito Gafotas , UCO , Todos Hombres Sois Iguales , Al Salir De Clase , among them).

jotix100 Imagine the dreary life of Martin, a bus driver in Madrid. His job has gotten the best of him, as well as his bored colleagues, but only Martin wants to do something to remedy the situation. When one night he climbs atop a viaduct over a busy intersection, a passerby, Salva, convinces him not to jump. After all, what would he accomplish? Instead, Salva has a different plan for Martin. Why not 'borrow' money from the local mafia. He can have millions with just the promise that he will repay at a high rate. For that, he must go into a clinic, where an old lady, lying on what appears to be her death bed, will decide whether to approve the loan, or not. At the end of the term, the mafia will "take care of him" when he can't come up with the money he owes.The new riches brings Martin to a life of luxury. He doesn't care how he spends his money. When he decides to throw a party, he goes all out. A young waitress, Lola, who is let go because of her inefficiency, catches Martin's eye. They begin a whirlwind tour of the fine places in Europe, and Madrid. Lola, it seems, has her own agenda about what to do with Martin's money."Living it Up", this Spanish comedy, has a glossy surface given by its director, Antonio Caudri. What doesn't make much sense is the screen play by Carlos Asorey and Fernando Leon Aranoa, a director, himself. We don't buy for a moment that even the criminal element would consider Martin worthy of a loan they are not to get repaid. Of course, we realize that Salva, is the key figure in the larger scheme of things, and we go along for the fun. The explanation as to why Martin was selected, makes no sense at all! And Lola's role in the whole thing is false from beginning to end.The film tried to capitalize having attracted Salma Hayek for the role of Lola. We don't recall this film being released commercially in this country, maybe in some markets, but no big distribution. Ms. Hayek's charm doesn't work miracles for her character, but she is a pleasant presence in the film. Carmelo Gomez, one of Spain's leading actors, has good moments. Best of all is Fernando Valverde who is seen as Salva.The film is mildly amusing, but it doesn't make much sense.

prolific_writer2000 Wow, I rented this on a whim just because I'm a huge Salma Hayek fan. I must say, I really enjoyed it. I'm pretty sure most people already know the basic concept of the story (if you didn't you wouldn't be here), so I won't go into it. But I will speak on everything else. The acting all around was very good. Salma was a good choice for the feisty, opinionated Lola, Carmelo Gomez was the perfect choice for the goofy yet lovable Martin. He sort of reminds me of Mathew Perry. And Fernando Valverde was awesome as Salva. The script was very witty, and inventive. Also, the chemistry between Salma and Carmelo was truly special. I also enjoyed the aggressive rhythmic soundtrack. Some people will complain about the third act, and say it is a little to mainstream (read: Hollywood), and maybe it is. But it works! It was totally unpredictable and it resolved the story nicely. La Gran Vida also, makes for a great date movie, if she's into foreign films.

lduperval Imagine, you feel as though life has lost all meaning. You want to end yours because you see no hope, no exit, no reason to go on living. Then a fairy godfather appears, with an unlikely proposition: I will give you 100 million pesetas (how many dollars is that? About 1 million?). The money will be loaned to you by a firm, which will ask you to refund it within a week, with 50% interest. If you don't refund, they will kill you.So instead of dying a quick and painless death, you get to live The Big Life for a week, before dying. So why would you say no? Such is the plot of this movie. Cinderella is Martin, the fairy godmother is Salva and Prince Charming is... wait, should there be a Prince Charming, when you're on the verge of dying?Well, that question and others are answered during the course of this movie. The concept is great. It actually reminds me slightly of Brewster's Millions. In a shorter time frame. And with Salma Hayek.I thought the movie was fine. The actors were very decent, especially the actor who plays Martin. He has a pitiful face that plays well with the character. Salma Hayek was fine also, as the fiery and sexy Lola. Of course Martin and Lola will fall in love. It will cause Martin to think twice about dying, and set things up for the grand finale.*possible spoiler ahead* And I guess the ending is what made me rate this movie a 7 instead of an 8. I can't really say what happens, unfortunately. But I found it somewhat unsatisfying. Too Hollywoodish, I found. But then again, if it is a fairy tale, it should have a happy ending. I'm sure I would have preferred an opera-like ending better.