ma-cortes
This is an enjoyable and light comedy set during the Spanish Civil War and Nazi Germany . A very pleasant comedy plenty of humor , emotion , sensitive scenes and mayhem . A company of Spanish movie makers leaves Franco's Spain and moves to Hitler's Germany to make a film in co-production . During the Spanish Civil War , the troupe goes from Spain for a joint production with Nazi UFA led by Goebbles and including a filmmaker who bears remarkable resemblance to Fritz Lang . Besides the problems of any movie set , add to the tensions : a drama about Jews ; as Nazis use Jewish and Gypsy prisoners (Karel Dobry) as extras to give an Andalucian look , the director (Antonio Resines) is sleeping with his main actress named Macarena Granada (Penelope Cruz) with no intention of leaving his spouse , and Macarena cooperates with this Nazi objective in hopes of freeing her daddy from one of Franco's prison . Soon some problems start to arise when Goebbels (Johannes Silberscheneider) himself plies her with favors, the filmmaker and the rest of the crew (Jorge Sanz , Neus Asensi , Rosa Maria Sarda , Loles Leon, Santiago Segura , Jesus Bonilla) encourage her to sleep with him for the good of the filming . This is an Award Winning picture by Fernando Trueba , the director of ¨Belle Epoque¨ . Comedy with historical background and movie troupe way-of-life elements ; adding culture and politics , including enjoyable performances and adequate set design . ¨La Niña De Tus Ojos¨ results to be other of the innumerable stories to deal with deeds regarding Spanish Civil War , but including jealousies , antics and sexual escapades , being set in Nazi Deutschland , too . A familiar theme about the global horrors of a fratricide war , impossible to forget to our cinema . Based on true events during the filming of Carmen (1938) and Nights in Andalucia (1938), both starring Imperio Argentina . An agreeable story plenty of amusing moments , moving feelings and fun finale . It is a light , wistful comedy , easy to watch , and easier to love . It is as beautifully filmed as it is written and acted . This 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 company who suffers several dangers and funny situations in another country during a hectic time , including the sad ¨Kristallnachat¨, (1938), being splendidly recreated . This is an tragicomedy that blends tragic elements , humor and irony . A serious/ironic film about xenophobia , racism and Jews brutal persecution . Director Fernando Trueba , also writes the interesting script along with prestigious screenwriter Rafael Azcona , Luis Garcia Berlanga's usual and David Trueba , Fernando's brother . Filmed in his usual formal and luxurious style , without leaving a trace the joyful themes , in terms of fun and narrative excitement . Unforgettable Penelope Cruz who though plays a Folkloric player , Imperio Argentina lookalike , she parades sexily at her best and more relaxed and enticing than ever . The hit of the show is undoubtedly for the fetching Penelope who gives one of the best screen acting . Very good secondary cast formed by Spanish familiar faces such as Rosa Maria Sarda , Neus Asensi , Santiago Segura , Jesus Bonilla , Maria Barranco , Juan Luis Galiardo as the Ambassador and many others . Evocative and jolly musical score by Antoine Duhamel , including various Folkloric songs marvelously sung by Penelope Cruz . In addition , a spotless pictorial cinematography by Javier Aguirresarobe and a willingness , almost perfect of the elements of each shot , every sequence , every space ; being filmed in Prague , Czech Republic . Aguirresarobe subsequently would make a prestigious career in Hollywood such as ¨Fright night , ¨The twilight saga: eclipse¨, ¨The road¨ , ¨The others¨ and many others . The picture is entertaining and well worth your time . The film is light and never somber, no small accomplishment from Fernando Trueba and his team.This simple, delightful motion picture was well directed by Fernando Trueba . His first success was Ópera Prima (1980) following the style of the "Madrid comedy". He had major success with Sé Infiel y No mires Quién (1985) also known as : Be Wanton and Tread No Shame , starting a longer collaboration with the producer Andrés Vicente Gómez . He went on directing numerous successes such as Coarse salt , Too Much , Milagro de Candeal , Year of Enlightment , The Girl of Your Dreams , Calle 54 , Embrujo De Shanghai , Chico and Rita and recently : The Artist and the Model . Trueba was President of the Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and he received the 1994 Oscar for Best Foreign Film to Belle Epoque (1992) .
fish_stix03
Fernando Trueba's film The Girl of Your Dreams appears on the surface to be like any other war film... a group of people are studied amongst the carnage and eventually come to learn of the true horror of the holocaust and grow in their personal lives as a result. While this is an admirable pretense, the tacky jokes and schmaltzy shout outs to films like Casablanca work against Trueba. Another shortcoming of the film is the portrayal of Goebbels; while it plays on the historical fact that he was a womanizer, he is shown to be a dithering Neanderthal, while in reality, he was a terrifying and calculating genius. Had Trueba shown Goebbels obsession with Macarena as a manifestation of this madman's carnal desires, the themes of the film may have been the better for it.Cruz is fabulous (much more so than in any other English speaking film she's been in) and offers an enticing performance in an otherwise overcooked and ill-humoured extravaganza.
cinoches-4
One may wonder if "La niña de tus ojos" really deserves all the nominations and awards it got. It is not "Belle époque" and there are some obvious clichés but it's still a very enjoyable film. The colours are vibrant and the black humour is piquant though not everyone (especially the English-speaking audience, and Asian audiences not exposed to this sort of humour) may appreciate it. Of course, the fabulous Penelope Cruz will make one overlook whatever faults there are in the film. As usual, she's brilliant. The interplay of dialogue in Spanish, German and Russian is hilarious. Liked it very much.
MickeyTo
Fernando Trueba, the man who brought us the Oscar-winning Belle Epoque, does NOT deliver the goods in his latest film, the Girl of Your Dreams.
This movie, a carbon copy of so many others, tells the story of a group of actors/dancers from Spain, who come to Occupied Germany in the late 30's to make a 'propaganda' film. (Of course, what else was Germany putting out back then?)Naturally, you can predict the rest of this story. The group is ignorant to the Nazi atrocities, and as they slowly discover what's happening, they cannot help but be affected by it. Yes, it's the same old story, told so many times before, and in much better films.The story is sometimes comical, or at least it attempts to be. There is a series of cliche events that are simply not funny. A homosexual actor makes advances at Spain's leading man. The Nazi's are gun-toting buffoons (a la Hogan's Hero's). And the women are bitchy to the point of being just plain silly. There is little redeeming about this film. I did like the set design for some of the scenes. The colors were great. But this stuff has all been done before. Scenes are literally stolen from other 'great' films. You will see Casablanca and To Be or Not to Be in several scenes.
Penelope Cruz offered the most energy in this picture. It is her character that first comes to terms with what is going on around her. The problem is, the character is not smart enough for me believe it. Sorry Fernando ... but The Girl of Your Dreams is a forgettable nightmare.
