La spagnola

This is such a bleak and plotless film that unless you are looking for a reason to slit your wrists its probably best avoided. Through a series of brief vignettes in a surreal Australian landscape we are acquainted with Lola and her unfortunate daughter Alice both of whom are destined to be forever betrayed not only by the people they encounter but also by each other. The unrelenting grimness is even reflected in their sexual encounters with a succession of squalid and unsatisfying relationships.

I tried very hard to fall asleep during this movie so that the time would pass more quickly but failed miserably and had to endure it to the end.

What was up the previous reviewers butt, I dont know? Pure hate if you ask me. I mean, how could anyone destroy such a delightful and interestingly shot film so thoroughly as to make this reader doubt it was the same film at all?

This film was refreshing, happy, sad, completely entertaining if you want to see things done freshly with a camera and acting that takes you away into the movie itself. Reaching deep emotions quickly and coming up for air just as fast for the next scene, many times throughout, this cast held me in awe.

I reccomend this film to anyone who simply enjoys film. Period.

And if youre from some difficult childhood issues, you might even relate to the subject matter.

Oh, and take any uncomfortable objects out of your bum before viewing, please, or you'll end up sounding like that other reviewer, no matter the film.

"La Spagnola" (literally "The Spanish Woman", in Italian) is a searingly sexy black comedy from "down-under" that explores the dysfunctional relationship between the fiery and beautiful Spaniard, Lola (Lola Marceli in a star-making performance) and her sensitive and lonely daughter, Lucia (the beguiling newcomer Alice Ansara).

There is not a false note in the entire film. Under Steve Jacobs' assured direction, the faultless performances, stunning cinematography, playful musical score and songs, work their surprising and indelible magic upon us.

Anna-Maria Monticelli's achingly funny yet deceptively simple narrative rings with harsh truths about the migrant experience in 60s Australia, and propels this sublime human drama towards a touching conclusion.

"La Spagnola" is firecracker of a film and a sure-fire bet for the next "Best Foreign Film" Oscar.

There's a lot of negative reviews about this film on this site, but in fact I found it to be quite quirky, funny and engrossing. If you get a chance to see it, do so - you'll be pleasantly surprised by this funny, fiery dysfuctional Austalian film (also good if you're studying Spanish or Italian)

This delightful Australian film came out of nowhere, as I doubt it was ever was shown commercially in this country, except maybe in some markets, but never in the N.Y. area, as far as I'm concerned. It is a film that holds one's attention because of what Steve Jacobs, its director, working on a screen play by Anna Maria Monticelli, has achieved. He deserves better than the obscurity this film seems to have gained. Had it not been for HBO Latino, we would have missed this funny Australian movie.

Perhaps most viewers get confused with this movie trying to be a lot of different styles, not settling into being just a comedy, or a black one, at that. There are lots of situations in the film that immigrants all over the world could easily identify with. There is a 'melange' of languages enough to confuse the most brilliant linguists, but in a funny kind of way. It's easy to follow what one sees on the screen.

The two principal actresses, Lola Marceli, and Alice Ansara, make this film enjoyable. Both women bring a fire to whatever they do in line with what one's expectations. Lola Marceli is a gorgeous creature who smolders the screen with the heat she projects. Ms. Ansara, as the long suffering daughter, is quite good herself.

The best thing in the film is Aunt Manola's version of the ritual of preparing the cucumber salad. Lourdes Bartolome is nothing less than genial as her facial expressions are seen in close ups. Not only that, but Aunt Manola adheres to the most hygienic ways of preparing food!

Watch this movie with an open mind and it will reward the viewer.