The Girl Of Your Dreams
1998
Based on an allegedly true story of how during the fascist era of the 1930s the Nazi Party's head of propaganda, Josef Goebbels, fell head-over-heels in love with the reigning Spanish cinema queen when the latter visited the Ufa studios in Germany. Singer Macarena Granada is shooting a cheesy musical in Berlin when Goebbels .. Read more
| Starring | Antonio Resines, Jorge Sanz, Rosa Maria Sarda, Santiago Segura |
|---|---|
| Director | Fernando Trueba |
| Genres | Comedy, World Cinema |
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Critics' reviews
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Set in the aftermath of the Civil War, this perceptive comedy follows the misadventures of a Spanish film unit as it embarks upon a prestigious co-production at the legendary German UFA studios. Much of the attention is focused on the attempts of a sizzling Spanish star (Penélope Cruz) to avoid the attentions of the lecherous Goebbels (Johannes Silberschneider). But director Fernando Trueba is also keen to explore the nature of propaganda, the misuse of power and the ostensible differences between Franco and Hitler's brands of fascism. The final descent into farce is disappointingly laboured and trite, but the political and cinematic observations are astutely presented.
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Wonderful insight into Spain with beautiful acting
A rare gem. Cruz is a delight. You can't take your eyes off her - and neither can the director.
Touching and heartbreaking. -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
A Must-See
All in all a great movie.
Great performances, intelligent script, gripping story...funny and sad. -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Niņa de mis ojos
This film is invaluable in giving a portrayal of the last days of the Second Spanish Republic, the cultural collaboration between the fledgling Spanish fascist state and Nazi Germany, and the brutality of the Nazi racist policy.
The film starts off slowly with a news clip from Spanish cinema of the advance of Franco’s armies in Spain, but picks up speed as a Spanish film crew arrive in Berlin to make a musical film in the powerful UFA film studies in Berlin. Although some of the Spaniards are whole-hearted supporters of the Nazis, others, like the leading actress, played excitingly by Penelope Cruz, have been blackmailed into the scheme by threats of reprisals to their loved ones under the new regime in Spain. Tensions arise when the German Minister of Propaganda, Doktor Goebbels, attempts to seduce Penelope Cruz, whilst she falls in love with a Russian Jew temporarily released from a concentration camp to be an extra in the production. The pace of the film gets hotter and hotter, ending up as pure farce !
Apparently light-hearted, the work packs a serious message. -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Niņa de mis ojos
This film is invaluable in giving a portrayal of the last days of the Second Spanish Republic, the cultural collaboration between the fledgling Spanish fascist state and Nazi Germany, and the brutality of the Nazi racist policy.
The film starts off slowly with a news clip from Spanish cinema of the advance of Franco’s armies in Spain, but picks up speed as a Spanish film crew arrive in Berlin to make a musical film in the powerful UFA film studies in Berlin. Although some of the Spaniards are whole-hearted supporters of the Nazis, others, like the leading actress, played excitingly by Penelope Cruz, have been blackmailed into the scheme by threats of reprisals to their loved ones under the new regime in Spain. Tensions arise when the German Minister of Propaganda, Doktor Goebbels, attempts to seduce Penelope Cruz, whilst she falls in love with a Russian Jew temporarily released from a concentration camp to be an extra in the production. The pace of the film gets hotter and hotter, ending up as pure farce !
Apparently light-hearted, the work packs a serious message. -
3 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Look elsewhere
This is boring arty-farty pretentious tripe. Don' t bother ordering this - you will have more fun washing up or cleaning the car.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Wonderful insight into Spain with beautiful acting
A rare gem. Cruz is a delight. You can't take your eyes off her - and neither can the director.
Touching and heartbreaking. -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
A Must-See
All in all a great movie.
Great performances, intelligent script, gripping story...funny and sad. -
1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Niņa de mis ojos
This film is invaluable in giving a portrayal of the last days of the Second Spanish Republic, the cultural collaboration between the fledgling Spanish fascist state and Nazi Germany, and the brutality of the Nazi racist policy.
The film starts off slowly with a news clip from Spanish cinema of the advance of Franco’s armies in Spain, but picks up speed as a Spanish film crew arrive in Berlin to make a musical film in the powerful UFA film studies in Berlin. Although some of the Spaniards are whole-hearted supporters of the Nazis, others, like the leading actress, played excitingly by Penelope Cruz, have been blackmailed into the scheme by threats of reprisals to their loved ones under the new regime in Spain. Tensions arise when the German Minister of Propaganda, Doktor Goebbels, attempts to seduce Penelope Cruz, whilst she falls in love with a Russian Jew temporarily released from a concentration camp to be an extra in the production. The pace of the film gets hotter and hotter, ending up as pure farce !
Apparently light-hearted, the work packs a serious message. -
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful
A bit
I'm sure I've already written a review for this film. Ditto.
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1 out of 3 people found this review helpful
Hola Hola (Allo Allo)
It's a sign of the times that Spanish cinema can now take a comical look at Spanish-German relationship at the end of the Civil War and the start of WW2. Humour can be a good way of healing old wounds.
There is more than a touch of "Allo Allo" about this film and it does have some hilarious moments but not enough of them. Maybe some of the humour gets lost in translation. -
3 out of 12 people found this review helpful
Look elsewhere
This is boring arty-farty pretentious tripe. Don' t bother ordering this - you will have more fun washing up or cleaning the car.
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Critics' reviews
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Set in the aftermath of the Civil War, this perceptive comedy follows the misadventures of a Spanish film unit as it embarks upon a prestigious co-production at the legendary German UFA studios. Much of the attention is focused on the attempts of a sizzling Spanish star (Penélope Cruz) to avoid the attentions of the lecherous Goebbels (Johannes Silberschneider). But director Fernando Trueba is also keen to explore the nature of propaganda, the misuse of power and the ostensible differences between Franco and Hitler's brands of fascism. The final descent into farce is disappointingly laboured and trite, but the political and cinematic observations are astutely presented.
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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The Girl Of Your Dreams
Based on an allegedly true story of how during the fascist era of the 1930s the Nazi Party's head of propaganda, Josef Goebbels, fell head-over-heels in love with the reigning Spanish cinema queen when the latter visited the Ufa studios in Germany. Singer Macarena Granada is shooting a cheesy ...
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