Customer Reviews

Queens

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Director Manuel Gómez Pereira has long been respected both in Spain and around the world for his edgy, hilarious, clever and wildly entertaining films. Writing with Yolanda García Serrano he has hit the mark with QUEENS ('Reinas') not only in taking on controversial subject matter and creating a successful comedy out of politically dangerous topic, but he has also done so by avoiding the usual pitfalls of gay stereotypes, making the focus of this film about Spain's approval of gay marriages not on the men involved, but instead on their mothers - the real Queens.

The story is fairly straightforward (if you will): there is to be a group wedding of gay couples in which three of the couples involved have frantic problems with their mothers' attending. Some of the mothers approve, others despair, others take advantage of the situation to meet their own needs. The effect of these 'double mothers-in-law' on the six men involved is packed with surprises, secrets, bizarre behavior, confessions, manifestations of life patterns less than reputable, and whirling dervish spins on acceptance.

The mothers are portrayed by some of the finest actresses in Spanish cinema: Marisa Paredes portrays Reyes, a famous actress (hysterically identified as Carmen Maura) whose class refuses to accept the cat that her son is marrying her gardener's son; Carmen Maura (yes) plays Magda, the owner of a new hotel chain catering to gays; Verónica Forqué is Nuria, a sex addicted nymphomaniac whose drives don't prevent her form bringing her lusts home to her family; Mercedes Sampietro plays Judge Helena who barely tolerates the effect of a public wedding of her son on her career but ends up being forced to perform the ceremony; and Argentine actress Betiana Blum is Ofelia, a restaurant owner/worker who arrives form Buenos Aires for the wedding with her runabout dog causing antics that threaten her son's relationship. The sons are played to perfection and without the slightest bit of stereotypical behavior we usually encounter in these films by six excellent actors: Gustavo Salmerón, Unax Ugalde, Hugo Silva, Daniel Hendler, Paco León, and Raúl Jiménez.

Manuel Gómez Pereira makes fine use of flashbacks and flash-forwards that enhance the breakneck speed the story needs. There is enough tenderness on the part of every actor to offset the near-slapstick comedy scenes, and in the end the movie leaves the audience with a true sense of celebration - not only for the characters involved in the story but also with the forward movement of human rights in Spain. This is a highly entertaining, polished, classy film that deserves a very wide audience. Grady Harp, December 06

The movie obviously plays with the word "queens". Queens are the grooms who are planning their collective marriage soon after Spain recognition of their right; truth be told no one of them is a real "queen", maybe only Miguel, the son of wealthy hotel chain owner, Carmen Maura, who has problem to be in synthony with his future husband's mother and also her dog. His lover is fitness trainer Oscar who is all but not flamboyant. Then there is lawyer Hugo and his politician future husband Narciso. Where Hugo is still fighting his homosexuality, Narciso is all for being out and proud... but there will be some cheating around from both side that will put in danger their future marriage. And finally there are sweet lovers Jonas and Rafa, two former teenager fiancees that, despite social status difference and the issue between their respective parents, fought against everyone and everything to finally be able to claim their love.

BTW the second meaning of the word "queens" refers to all the great female actresses who play the role of the mothers.

The movie is a classical example of modern Spanish cinema, a choral movie full of situation and great actors, with a funny mood that never let go down the smile.

'Reinas' features three significant muses of Pedro Almodóvar - Verónica Forqué, Carmen Maura and Marisa Paredes. The backstory is that director / collaborating writer Manuel Gómez Pereira wanted to feature four Almodóvarian staples, targeting Victoria Abril as his fourth (which would have been a real coup). Instead, the fourth role went to Mercedes Sampietro, not as well known to US audiences but a regal presence in Spanish television. The fifth Queen is Betiana Blum, an Argentinian whose high-energy presence is perfect for this often-screwball comedy.

Reinas is all about these ladies. That their gay sons are getting married seems hardly the point to Gómez Pereira - those young actors are just part of the woodwork, staying mostly to the sidelines as these ladies chew through the scenery.

There are two standouts on the male side though: Lluís Homar - who US audiences know as the tempted priest in Bad Education - is a Catalan ringer for Kelsey Grammer (he's Paredes' gardener/wanna-be paramour); and it's a delight to see the wonderful Cuban actor Jorge Perugorría (he's hotel owner Maura's chef/dish on the side). [You want to see great acting? Check out Perugorría in Strawberry & Chocolate and then in Guantanamera.]

The movie itself is like an homage to Almodóvar (Paredes' character even references him directly), but in look and feel I think it's closer to the nice little movie KM.0 (Kilometer Zero. Original Spanish Version w/ English Subtitles). Both feature impossible contrivances that don't get carried off as well as Almodóvar does it, but they're enjoyable nevertheless.

I would typically give this type of silly movie three stars but among the cast are two of my favorite actors Carmen Maura and Marisa Paredes. Their performances are always wonderful, hence my reason for purchasing this movie.

It is a progressive movie about mothers who are supportive of their gay sons who are taking advantage of the new marriage laws for gays in Spain. It covers the lives of several gay couples (and their parents) and the problems they face such as social, economic conflict of families united through wedlock, the shock and adjustments for parents of gay sons who are trying to adjust and accept their gay sons as they are, sexual deviant behavior is thrown in the mix and all is quite humorous and silly.

It is a mixture of light, silly humor intermingled with the progressive changes for gay rights which can be a delicate topic for people. It will not a terribly moving or thought provoking movie but it was enjoyable nonetheless.

I saw this at my local video (video...oooh, I'm I dating myself?), and was really tired. It was Friday night, didn't want to go out, and too tired for to be outraged by another Michael Myers or expose film. I saw this, and thougt, "okay, this is going to be silly, but needed a gay escape movie.

Within the first 10 minutes, I thought, "okay, the usual suspects, incredibly happy, model couples, living a lavish lifestyle that most gay and lesbians really can't afford (at least not without racking up the cards)." As the movie started to unfold, and I recognized many of the actors from Almodovar and other Spanish languaged, films. They kept appearing, and yet more. I thought,"Well Antonio Banderas started his career with great films, but had to do films that paid the bills too, why not these folks?" It was clear, that the actors chose to participate in this movie, because they wanted to (sure, they got paid, but actors need "green love," too). They all did a great job.

This film really surprised me. In fact, so much, that I watched it with my roommate, and later with a friend. A total of 3 viewings in 1 weekend! Everyone really enjoyed it.

I ended up buying this film. Yeah, this film will never win a Golden Globe Award, nor does it deserve one, but it was a great escape, yet left me with things to think about. In particular, the timeliness of this movie, as nations and communities around the world are starting to valid gay marriages (and Spain, or course, in the fore front). I'll leave it at that.

I'll be watching this one with other friends, in years to come. Enjoy!

What can I say? This movie was fun, fun, fun. Smart and witty in places, too. Those looking for something serious or more "true to life" are missing the point entirely. With high production values, and some of Spain's finest actresses, this film is bound to have a wide base of appeal. And for those of us dependent on subtitles, I can only imagine it would be even more clever in its native tongue.

This always cheers me up when I'm down in the dumps. Nobody I've ever shown it to didn't like it. Good therapy!

Thoroughly enjoyable light entertainment.
Every movie doesn't have to change the world.
Can't go wrong with those actresses.
I wouldn't have missed it for the world.

The production values are good, but the story and situations are really hard to swallow. The film is mostly about the relationships of the women, not the gay sons. It was confusing having so many similar-aged women, stories swapping back & forth, constantly having to identify which mother belongs to which son. The situations were far too ridiculous, without being funny. Three of the women are having sex with people that are extremely unlikely to happen in real life. Just not believable. The gay guys are portrayed as weak shells.

Clearly this film concentrates on the mothers and could easily have been about straight children getting married. As a gay man, I feel insulted that the writers think writing the children as gay instantly makes the situation something to be laughed at. There aren't many films that I find difficult to sit through to the end, but this was one of them.

Note: This DVD is actually 4:3 letterbox (they couldn't be bothered to make it full anamorphic widescreen).

You have major Spanish actresses here, and they are burdened with a shrill, unfunny comedy that turns gay men into sideshow freaks. There is not one believable character in the whole film. It's an unnmitigated disaster.