The Olive Films January 30, 2018 Blu-ray release of the 1992 Penelope Cruz Romance-Comedy-Drama "Belle Epoque" gives those of us in the frozen 2/3 of the US a much-need witty and charming tale literally set in the sunny Spanish countryside. As is always the case, Olive chooses well regarding upgrading this beautifully filmed movie in Blu-ray. It looks and sounds mahvelous, simply mahvelous.
The more than 20 major formal accolades for this tale of deserting soldier Fernando and the four objects of his affection set during the '30s era "troubles" in Spain include the 1994 Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and the 1995 BAFTA for Best Film not in the English Language. Informal accolades include "Epoque" evoking strong thoughts of the awesome novels of Spanish-in-spirit authors Gabriel Garcia Marquez and Mario Llossa Vargas. It also has shades of more American author John Irving.
This fable by director Fernando Trueba and writer Rafael Azcona awesomely opens with a POV shot of a car approaching a suitcase in the middle of the road; the father-in-law and son-in-law soldiers stopping to investigate and soon catching AWOL Fernando leads to a wonderfully bizarre exchange about the national state of affairs and pragmatic considerations related to Team Republic member Fernando. This interaction concludes with an accident that is a great example of the perverse dark humor that greatly contributes to enjoying "Epoque."
Fernando finding himself at a brothel where a warm bed seems to appeal to him more than the company that comes with the fee for the nightly lodging begins his friendship with middle-aged landowner/artist Manolo, who sees his younger self in this rebel. Suffice it to say that these men learn that politics make strange bedfellows.
Fernando subsequently finds refuge at Casa Manolo in exchange for companionship and cooking. The wiser and older member of this domestic partnership supports Fernando moving onto Madrid just as the four daughters of Manolo are coming for a visit. However, seeing what he would be missing out on prompts Fernando to extend his visit.
Eldest daughter Clara is a widow who enters that state due to a terrifically quirky accident that seems destined to repeat itself during the film; Violeta has a personality that reflects largely absent wannabe operetta star mother Amalia raising her as a boy, engaged in a pending marriage of convenience Rocio, and "baby of the family" Luz (Cruz).
Fernando has wonderfully quirky trysts with each of the three older sisters, and Luz seems destined to miss her turn. The one with Violeta easily is the most bizarre and mutually fulfilling. This intercourse also prompts Manolo to lament that he is gaining a son-in-law and losing a mutually exclusive friend.
For his part, Manolo has a rather unique condition that prevents committing adultery despite Amalia spending most of her time travelling in pursuit of stardom. However, her visiting with her sugar daddy/lover does not stop her from vigorously fulfilling her wifely duties for a delighted Manolo despite this comically frustrating her benefactor with benefits.
Other wackiness enters the picture in the form of the aforementioned fiance goofily trying to lose his religion and take other frantic action to obtain the affection and the related hand of Rocio. This also brings his very proper mother and a not-so-proper priest into the action.
All of this occurs in the context of uncertainty regarding the nature of the government in the near future and even how long any change in that system will endure. The sense that Spain becoming a Republic will lead to a free-for-all also plays a role. This particularly is true near the end of the film when all concerned truly believe that making up the rules as you go along is fine.
All of this wackiness and great fun at the expense of a country in turmoil shows that silliness always is fun and that people should not get hung up on political ideologies. This is not to mention the wisdom of recognizing that what leaders or system calls the shots does not matter very much.
Anyone with questions or comments regarding "Epoque" is strongly encouraged either to email me or to connect on Twitter via @tvdvdguy.
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