There are several things about this film so clunky and amateurish that they make me cringe. But it kept me glued to the screen anyway. The plot's not the problem: its disjointed nature seemed quite lifelike and realistic. It was very dark, and it surprises me that other commentators can call it comedic and enchanting. It certainly had comedic moments and enchanting moments but I found it pretty wrenching watching a 14-year-old begging her father not to abandon her to her mother, not to mention watching said mother have sex just to try to get money for the rent. But I was moved by those scenes. I was also intrigued by the scenario of the beautiful sister who doesn't have any fun in bed and her plain sister who knows how to enjoy herself. That's not what usually happens in the movies. What bothered me was the following: 1. All the anglo-Australian parts were caricatures of evil (except for one neutral, non-evil shop assistant). Yes, I know that's how Arabs, Germans and South Africans are portrayed in Hollywood films, but I expected more subtlety from this film. 3. Lucia spoke Spanish with a strong Australian accent, and I'm pretty sure you don't do that when your parents are native Spanish speakers. Well, you would if they never spoke Spanish to you, but Lola speaks almost exclusively in Spanish. I don't know quite how I expected the actress (Alice?) to overcome the problem, but it was a problem. 2. Lola looks like a 24-year-old movie star in every single shot, even when her daughter comes back to visit her. While I loved watching her for her sheer gorgeousness, it was hard, despite her acting talent, to believe in her as the mother of a 14-year-old, suffering poverty and stress. All that artfully shot dust never seemed to touch her or her beautiful clothes. Maybe her unchanging beauty was meant to be some sort of statement about how her daughter saw her, but I suspect it was really down to overzealous stylists or the director having a crush on her. Well, it wasn't perfect. I don't even know if I'd say it was good. But it was different, and that's something you don't see very often.

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.

Lucía is a 14-year-old girl living in Australia with her beautiful Spanish mother, Lola (the title refers to her and means "Spanish woman"), while her Italian father (named Ricardo) has run off with an Australian woman. Lola is a woman of fiery emotions, which she demonstrates very quickly by throwing herself on top of and then in front of the car as Ricardo attempts to drive off. She wants him back, or at least for him to pay her bills, and failing that she wants revenge. Lucía would just like a normal family and to spend time with the family chickens and the goat named Elvis.That barely gives a hint of the flavor of the film, which is *very* quirky, often darkly humorous, and sometimes dramatic. I enjoyed individual bits (Lourdes Bartolomé steals the scenes she's in as Lucía's aunt Manola), but on the whole it didn't really work for me. Still, there's enough here to give it a mild recommendation.This was Australia's nomination for the best foreign language film of 2001, which is an interesting concept in that Australia is an English speaking country, but this is in fact a foreign language film. It is currently playing in Europe, but the director (who was at the San Francisco International Film Festival screening where I saw it on 5/1/2002 to introduce it but not for questions) does not expect it to get distribution in the U.S.

"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.