HUEVOS DE ORO (1993)
A Film Review Copyright Dragan Antulov 2003
Spanish cinema industry is superior to all other cinema industries on European Continent, and one base such conclusion on the number of filmmakers who happen to be critics' darlings. While most of European countries can pride themselves with one or two internationally recognised filmmakers, Spain has many. One of them is J.J. Bigas Luna, who has brought attention to himself in 1992 with his sexy comedy JAMON JAMON. In that film the most recognisable face was Javier Bardem, an actor whose looks seem to embody all ideals of Spanish machismo. A year later Bigas Luna used Bardem for his next film, drama HUEVOS DE ORO.
In the beginning we meet Benito Gonzalez (played by Bardem) as a recently discharged soldier who is determined to get wealth and fame. In doing so he would use his best natural talent - ability to please women with the skills of Latin lover. After investing his savings into construction business he dreams of building the greatest tower in the city - phallic symbol of his own power. In order to do so he manipulates his mistress and in the end decides to marry Marta (played by Maria de Medeiros), unattractive daughter of the wealthy local banker.
At times, HUEVOS DE ORO is interesting to look at it, but most of the time it seems that Bigas Luna didn't exactly know what to do. There are plenty of interesting images in this film, mostly those that use erotic symbols, but the plot is weak and HUEVOS DE ORO look like one great advertising clip for Spanish tourism industry instead of feature film. However, good cast (that includes Maribel Verdu of latter Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN fame) makes this film at least tolerable. But those who want to see Spanish cinema using all of its potential would have to watch some other films.
RATING: 4/10 (+)
Review written on January 17th 2003
Dragan Antulov a.k.a. Drax http://film.purger.com - Filmske recenzije na hrvatskom/Movie Reviews in Croatian http://www.purger.com/users/drax/reviews.htm - Movie Reviews in English http://www.ofcs.org - Online Film Critics Society
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