Torremolinos 73 (2003) Online

My wife is kinda obsessed with non-American filmography and she insists on watching every non-American movie on a theater near us. Well, I can't say I am a fan of Hollyweird myself - on the contrary - but I like the independents and on occasion I can even rent a blockbuster for a couple of popcorn hours at home.

So, she dragged me (almost literally) to said theater to watch "a Spanish comedy". She's an avid Almodovar fan (I am not) and so gets pretty much excited over Spanish films.

We went into the theater along with 15 (yes, fifteen) other spectators... not much of an atmosphere, huh? I was not fairly predisposed towards the film, to say the least.

After the two hours have passed, though, I was in love with this little gem! Torremolinos '73 is a very smart film, and has lots to give to any open-minded person, especially if said person has a decent knowledge of Bergman's films.

The first part is extremely funny. Especially the scenes with the couple shooting the ...educating movies, are hilarious. Irony is all over the place, subtle references to Frankist Spain are obvious to those who know what they should look about, but everything serves the purpose to have a good laugh, even if you have to actually think about the film to do so.

The second part is not as funny, but I almost wet myself while the aspiring director Bergman-wannabe shoots a number of scenes with his utterly talent-less wife, imitating every last cadre of a Bergman film! To sum this up: If you are not annoyed by ample nudity (I have to say this since IMDb is also accessed by... ahem... cultures not quite fond of nudity), you like witty (the Spanish way) humor and you are a bit of a Bergman-geek (does such an animal even exist???) you are going to adore Torremolinos '73, as I did.

Probably the best comedy (by far...) I watched this summer.

'Torremolinos 73' is the proof that Spanish cinema is nowadays one of the best in the world, and that Almodovar is not the only one who makes it deserve this honor. Pablo Berger is the director and this is only his second film, but the work is of a mature creator, mastering the subject, with a deep understanding of the time the plot happens, with a strong hand in directing his actors, while leaving them enough space for creativity.

The plot happens in 1973, a moment before the fascist dictatorship in Spain fell, and Spain re-joined the family of democratic nations. A not so young couple anticipates in a way the cultural and economic revolution all Spain will go soon, by acting and producing porno movies for the Scandinavian market under the pretext of 'researching reproduction morals in different countries'. The film tells a lot about the process of transition between dictatorship and democracy and its moral risks, about the contrast between tradition and liberal morals, about the relation between pornography and art. All is done in good taste, even the soft core porno scenes are justified for a change. The actors are wonderful, they create empathy with the viewer, and they are credible as characters.

9 out of 10 on my personal scale.

When I saw the poster of "Torremolinos 73" at my favorite movie theater, it was clear: I had to see that movie.

I expected 90 minutes of bursting out laughing. Let's say, that wasn't exactly the case.

It sure has its moments of incredible comedy but, surprisingly, also moments of real tragedy and drama. I was quite stunned.

In the end, the story is absolutely original, I wouldn't know about anything similar, the actors all do a great job, the dialog is mostly very nice and all this ends up in a fine little piece of entertainment.

Not perfect, not amazing, but amusing and entertaining? Definitely!

I found this to be a captivating and entertaining movie - great pains were taken to reproduce that 70's look and feel and it is totally convincing. While seemingly limited in their ambitions, the main characters are nevertheless sympathetic and there are some quirky sidekicks whose characters are fleshed out enough to be entertaining as well - everyone from the landlady, the boss, to the friend who drives. I also found myself seriously enjoying the director's X-rated version of an Ingmar Bergman film over the actual film it self. The woman doesn't have much ambition aside from being "womanly" but it is based on a true incident and hey it was the 70's in Spain.

Set in 1973 Spain , dealing with a marriage who takes advantage of an offer to make adult films . As Alfredo Lopez" (Javier Camera), is married to "Carmen" (Candela Peña) , hairdresser and faithful wife . When it starts to go wrong his job selling encyclopedias at home , then the head of sales , Don Carlos (Juan Diego) comes up with an idea for a new product line . The company will expand its catalogue to offer an "audiovisual encyclopedia of human reproduction" , essentially 8 millimeter films of couples making love . As they are presented with the opportunity to make money doing erotic films in Super 8, which is exported to Scandinavia in the form of a false encyclopedia about reproduction in the world . Carmen agrees mainly because she has recently lost her job in a local beauty parlour . The act turns him into an aspiring legit filmmaker and her into an international sex symbol . Being inspired by true events .

A good script with comedy , drama and fine players as Javier Camera and Candela Peña . This entertaining as well as interesting Dramedy contains crazy events , nudism , sexual scenes , amusement and absurd situations . Sitting in a strange middle ground between the completely absurd and the stylish set pieces , including various nostalgic moments , paying tribute to music and films of the seventies . It is a crazy Spanish comedy with touches of drama that offers no intellectual stimulus whatsoever , though it has some fun and hilarious moments . Humor is sometimes cheesy and gross-out with numerous naughty and picaresque situations such as sex jokes , adultery , jealousy , and erotic scenes . It partially sets the tone of the times in the seventies when had been made lots of films about nudism or ¨Destape¨. In fact , this film belongs to a nostalgic sub-genre regarding the eroticism and nudism on the mass during the thunderous 70s such as ¨Dias De Cine¨ by David Serrano and ¨Los Años Desnudos (Clasificada S)¨ by Dunia Ayoso and Felix Sabroso . Behind this title hides a story based on real events, with its director Pablo Berger makes her special tribute to cinema , with references to Bergman , the Spanish comedies , even porn. But not only accomplishes that , shows that there are many ways to do comedy without falling into vulgarity. It is an acceptable production plenty of nudism and sexual scenes , but is saved by an intelligent as well as unpretentious script with several very funny scenes . All this is achieved by comedians like Javier Cámara and Candela Peña they are the perfect combination to get laughs and tears , at the same time .

It stands out the nice acting from Javier Camera as a struggling encyclopedia salesman become porno actor and charming Candela Peña as his wife who really wants to have a child . The picture provides a passel of brief or cameo appearances such as Malena Alterio , Marivi Bilbao , Máximo Valverde , Jaime Blanch , Mariano Peña, Ana Wagener , Ramón Barea and special appearance by Carmen Machi . Evocative cinematography by Kiko De La Rica , one of the best Spanish cameramen who has photographed great titles as ¨Lucia Y el Sexo¨, ¨El Calentito¨ , ¨Witching and Bitching¨ , "A Sad Trumpet Ballad" ¨The Oxford crimes¨ , ¨Snow White¨ , among others . Lively as well as adequate musical score , plenty of wonderful songs , by Nacho Mastretta , a good professional who has composed soundtracks in a lot of famous movies such as ¨El Gran Vázquez¨ (2010) , ¨Va a Ser Nadie Es Perfecto¨ (2006) and ¨La Hija Del Cannibal¨ (2003) . The motion picture was well produced and compellingly directed by Pablo Berger , a very good Spanish movies director . A very worthy debut that demonstrated how with simple jobs can make a splendid film . The flick delivered a successful result and achieved various Goya Awards . Director Pablo Berger developed the project for some years before being able to shoot it . Pablo is a well recognized filmmaker both nationally and internationally , and in proof of it he won many prizes in several Festivals , as this his feature debut ¨Torremolinos 73¨ , as well as the excellent ¨Snow White¨ or ¨Blancanieves¨ . Rating : Above average , essential and indispensable watching for Spanish cinema fans .

Spanish Cinema has a fairly different wave and it is pleasant to see such movies coming from the new directors with different content & storytelling.

"Torremolinos 73" is an honest movie, as a débutant Pablo Berger has come up with something amusing and solemn.

Set in 1973, an encyclopedia salesman Alfredo who sells it door-by door is not able to meet his ends. He has been given only an alternative by his chief – to make adult movies with wife Carmen or leave the company. After some dithering, they reluctantly accept the proposal and it starts the journey of ecstasy & agony.

Using fade colors, it gives a feel of 70's with some good dialogs and funny situations. Javier Cámara is good as a Bergman's admirer (camera Buff), Candela Peña is incredible as a timid person having some desires to fulfill.

Recommended

7.5/10

Pablo Berger, the director of "Torremolinos 73", takes us back to the Spain of the seventies when Franco was still around and where he sets the scene for this satire about the clandestine porno industry. Mr. Berger also wrote the screen play, that at times is mildly amusing by the situation he creates. If you haven't seen the movie, please stop reading here.

We first see Alfredo trying to sell books door to door without much success. His boss calls his staff and informs a new revamping in the business. He is going to start a series of experimental films about sex education that will be marketed abroad. The employees are shocked, and only Alfredo and his wife Carmen, and another man, agree to participate. Carmen wants to have children, which seems not to come to her and Alfredo.

Carmen becomes a favorite sight in the Scandinavian countries, and she is even as identified in a department store in Madrid by one of her fans. Since their Scandinavian instructors keep on quoting the great Ingmar Bergman, Alfredo decides to make his own film that parallels "The Seventh Seal". The shooting is in an empty hotel in Torremolinos where Alfredo and his crew are seen filming the movie in the artistic black and white, but suddenly Carlos, the money man, wants a bit of sex in the picture. Alfredo is shocked because since he is not participating, Carmen will have to perform with the leading man! Javier Camera, who was so good in "Talk to Her" plays Alfredo, the book peddler turned porno film director. Candela Peña makes a good suffering Carmen who is lured into the scheme because of necessity. Juan Diego is seen as Alfredo's boss.

The film has a faded look that blends well with the period its trying to reproduce. The film has some funny moments.

I think everyone is being a tad harsh on this film, there is no way they could have kept the pace of the first half of the film up it would have been exhausting.Seeing this film in a packed cinema @ cornerhouse certainly helped, seen Candela Pena in two films recently she shines in both.As for the second half of the film & the transition from comedy to drama the laughs didn't dry up they just were a bit more subtle i thought he bergman stuff especially carrying the sithe on the rollercoaster & playing chess on the pedolo was hilarious. An honourable debut for me it looked like the seventies, all brown & beige. The donkey bit was very funny, definitely not subtle.

Writer/director Pablo Berger's engaging sex comedy has been praised in some quarters as a Spanish Boogie Nights, but it's altogether a gentler, more romantic film.

Set in 1973 towards the end of the censorious Franco era, hapless door-to-door encyclopaedia salesman Alfredo (Javier Cámara) is given a blunt choice by his boss – accept redundancy or diversify into making 'sex education' home movies with his shy wife Carmen (Candela Peña) for the Danish porn industry.

After some hesitation, the couple set to with a passion and become increasingly bold in staging their fantasies for the camera – until Carmen unwittingly becomes something of an international sex symbol and Alfredo gets the chance to fulfil his dream of directing a feature film inspired by his cinematic idol Ingmar Bergman.

The leads weave a potent and convincing chemistry, both as lovers and as a long-married couple, while Berger lightly coaxes humour and an eccentric romance to the fore.

This is about Spain in the 70s, with the falangists still in power. A salesman of dictionaries about the civil war is about to be fired. But his boss gives him another opportunity: Start making porno films together with your wife for my company.

They start doing so, but there are conflicts of course. This movie can't decide if it is a comedy or a wannabe tragedy and it ends in neither. This could have been mostly funny if the creators had done more of the 70s feeling, but they don't. And in the end you laugh more at the persons you ought to feel sorry about.

Not a must.

When I first watched this film in 2005, I loved it, although at the time I was perhaps ready to agree that the second half of the film stumbles in a lot. But having recently seen 'Camera Buff' by Krzysztof Kieslowski, I am absolutely convinced 'Torremolinos 73' was inspired by it, in one way or another. This is not to deny originality to Berger's creation, but the acquaintance with the Polish film can seriously help understand and evaluate 'Torremolinos'. It can let us appreciate some details (compare, for instance, a cameo appearance of another Polish filmmaker, Zanussi, in 'Camera Buff' to the ever-powerful presence of Bergman's loudspeaker in 'Torremolinos'), but, most importantly, it allows to see, what exactly the subject of the film is. If our understanding is not informed by 'Camera Buff', then 'Torremolinos' is a vinaigrette of politics, porn and art-house cinema. If it is, then the main topic is exactly the one that makes the film somewhat 'heavy' in its second part and which was one of the central topics in Kieslowski's film. Cinema becomes a wedge, which is hammered between the routine and creativity. Aspiration to make 'serious' films and the cherishing of a film as one's child violently confronted the parental responsibilities of Kieslowski's protagonist, who gave in to creative impulses. The conflict in 'Torremolinos' is slightly reversed in that cinema becomes a more complex agent: it is the reason for misunderstanding, but it also unveils the problem and in the end even helps to resolve it. It is nevertheless the importance of the choice and its connection to various problems concerning family life that bring a kind of dullness into the second part of 'Torremolinos'. In this case it might be useful to agree with those who call this part 'subtler' in comparison to the upbeat start. In particular, this second part contains an easily-unnoticed topic of how much insult the male pride can take, and whether or not it is worth being guarded when love is at stake.

Where to start with Torremolinos 73? The style is old-fashioned kindly farce with some very cheerful and silly sex-scenes. It might have strayed into Billy Wilder acidity like Kiss Me Stupid but prefers to be defiantly optimistic about human nature. I really rate this film for its gentle good-humour, its love for its characters and of movies in general. The director (Pablo Berger) has succeeded in satirising the early 1970s, its mindsets and quirks, from a distance of thirty years, which isn't too easy. And the references are exactly those that obsessed us all in the early 1970s. The first part lays out how an encyclopaedia salesman is finessed by his boss into making sex films with his wife under the pretence that they are for the "Copenhagen Scientific Research into Sexuality Institute" or some such. The inhibited, average-looking (which is the point) and very broke couple find the financial benefits much to their taste but she's not so keen in being recognised in public by strange foreign men. The wife Carmen (Candela Peña) also wants a baby but husband Alfredo (Javier Cámara) is firing blanks. Meanwhile Alfredo has discovered his inner auteur. There are some very funny sequences of titillation, Alfredo-style, with Carmen rather resigned to it all.. After he pens an epic script entitled Torremolinos 73 he and we are surprised when his boss goes ahead with the project, insisting however on an upgrade to 35mm and a support tech crew (from Scandinavia of course). Part two consists of the shooting of Alfredo's script (which steals from the plot of Durrenmatt's The Visit) at Torremolinos. The Scandinavian crew can't quite believe they're working on this project but young Magnus (Mads Mikkelsen with blond hair) is thrilled to be there and clearly even more thrilled to meet the wife (perhaps he's seen the "research" films in Scandinavia?) Alfredo's script of course can't help but pay homage to The Seventh Seal (chess and beaches), various bits of Fellini (dwarves yet), Antonioni (barren landscapes) and possibly even Jean Cocteau's Orphée (Carmen in her suit and flat hat resembles either Maria Casares as the Princess/Death or a young version of Helena Rubenstein – take your pick). (One of the pleasures of this film is the bizarre costuming for Carmen's "research" films and for the movie within a movie. Clearly this husband is not as buttoned down as he appears). For me the funniest bits are of Carmen and Magnus roaming the landscape for the cameras, she in her severe suit and shovel hat and he as Death in cloak and scythe. They play chess on a pedalo, run up and down beaches, take rides on the merry-go-round and eventually get to the climax of the film within a film. And Mads Mikkelsen is hilarious in the small but pivotal role of Magnus, delivering a sweet natured character who manages to keep a straight face and his dignity enveloped in cloaks, scythes and sex scenes. I've missed telling you the joke with the horse (too rude but very funny). There's a happy ending, of course. And a movie is born. Go see.

That movie is a piece of art, one of the best directions actually, an incredible screenplay, a very human story. Incredible actors and very very good direction. Excellent Candela Peña, very hard work to create the character, you can fall in love with her in the first scene. Probably it is not an example of life, talking about the characters, but if it could happened,it was in the 70s. A very intelligent movie, rare on Spain, Im sure that Ingmar Bergman couldn't directed it better. I smiled, cried and laughed with that movie. Im really proud to meet the director in person. And I have to say him: Pablo thanks for that movie, and thanks for how you are.

i just saw this movie this Saturday. there was a Spanish film festival in one of the theaters here and i brought my friend along to watch.. the theater was packed, i'm telling you, even if i found that hard to believe, hahaha. the movie was funny, and yeah, charming too. i'm glad i got to watch it, and i hope to watch more in the future. i won't be telling anything more about torremolinos. the user comment was quite useful.. oh yeah, i liked the B&W shots in the carnival that alfredo shot for his movie "torremolinos 73." and one song there, i just can't get it off my mind... the one that goes "carmen, carmen, carmen.. te quiero y lo sabes." it's such a happy song, hahah.

A little of those Spanish spicy movies from late 70's, a little of "Indecent Porposal", a little of comedy (if there's someone who really laughs watching' this), a little of drama... A little of everything to get to nowhere. The plot releases what we're gonna get through: a door-to-door salesman is forced to film some porn movies with his wife so he can keep his job (yeeeeha!!). Anyway, though the movie has some good points (a nice setting, good actors such as Diego or Cámara), the final product is too weak, neither the dramatic part nor the comic one are that good.

Basically unnecessary.

PS: "Torremolinos 73" won the prize for the Best Movie at Malaga's Festival (that's a lot significant)... I can't even imagine the quality of its rivals.

*My rate: 3/10

"Torremolinos 73" starts out looking like just another dreary dirge about the down-on-his-luck salesman whose soul is being crushed by the emptiness of his existence. Alfredo is struggling to provide for his wife, but failing. Door-to-door sales are being phased out.

Not to worry--his employer has an alternate plan. They will produce "scientific" films about Spanish reproduction customs for sales in Scandinavia.

I don't want to relate any more of the action, but the story turns into a light-hearted comedy about a married couple who truly love each other. By following an odd pathway--spurred by their need for money--they manage to achieve what each wants from life.

Some of the best touches are the use of iconic cinematic images in the filming of the titular film within this film.

Though some reviewers focus on political commentary within the film, this film can be enjoyed on a purely comedic level. Javier Camera, who plays Alfredo, is an affable everyman. Candela Pena, as his wife Carmen, is an unassuming woman who longs for the simple things in life. Together they are a likable couple whose happiness springs from their love for each other.

the plot is not enough to justify a 90 minutes movie but for a 20 minutes television sketch. The actress Candela peña does it very good, but actor camara doesn't fits with the fisic-du-role for a porno star. The funny situations are better achieved than the dramatic ones.

The first half you expect for a lot of possibilities the subject could be developed, but it never does. When the sign "the end" comes, you think that something is missing, it's not possible an ending like that, maybe the deadline are the only explanation for such a sudden end, when you're still waiting for something that justify the movie.

The recreation of the seventies atmosphere is achieved, and the music helps to that goal. You can see it, if you want a light comedy without many pretensions.

An amusing but insubstantial comedy about a door-to-door encyclopedia salesman whose firm 'diversifies' into encyclopedias on sexuality and accompanying videos. Funny enough, with acutely observed and realistic characters, but it needed something more in the second half to make it worth the time.

(minor spoilers) A young couple are having a job paying the rent. He's an encyclopaedia salesman and is given an ultimatum by his company that want to diversify into the more profitable area of human sexuality encyclopaedias - in magazine sections with accompanying videos - ie, soft porn.

It's a funny enough story but more could have been made of it.

An encyclopedia salesman gets a camera and convinces his wife to make pornographic films as a means to make a quick buck. However, the man has aspirations of becoming Ingmar Bergman and the woman desires a child. It's a mildly amusing Spanish comedy, well acted by Camera as the angst-ridden and insecure husband and Pena as his plain but naughty wife. The title comes from the film within the film that Camera makes, a pretentious opus inspired by Bergman's "The Seventh Seal." Although released in 2003, the setting is the 1970s and the cheesy 1970s porno flick look of the film is probably intentional on the part of director Berger.