Very funny and very knowing film regarding the ins and outs of two couples' affairs, complicated further by those of some others. A bit of a Woody Allen movie with songs. Songs! Yes indeed, and the surprising bursts of musical numbers are not entirely unwelcome and are very well done with excellent dancing but they undoubtedly slow the film a little. Otherwise a near perfect film, in that it surely achieves just what it sets out to do. We are presented with some pretty well developed male characters, some gorgeous ladies; a lot of angst is mixed in and then some bravado and some spice. It's infectious, amusing, clever and always watchable. Says a lot, particularly about the male, in fairly short time and has us smiling throughout and laughing out loud more than once.

Welcome to the world of love in its perfect way, in a perfect movie. When I say love in a perfect way, I say it ironically because the love is not perfect in the film, but at least it is the way it should be. Emilio Martínez Lázaro invites you to bed and David Serrano puts the words in everyone's mouth; it's the perfect team.To make a movie work, the people involved must be sure and confident enough to say: "I want to do this". Here, we presence a harmonious piece of cinema, with all its parts fitting correctly for the final product. I'm messing with harmony because there's music here; and mixing two amazing things like love and music, in this special way, requires courage.The team succeeds in every objective planned. The songs chosen for each moment, sang by the original cast, with spectacular choreographing in any part of the city, that show us girls dancing alongside the character who's singing the songs. These songs go from happiness to sadness, and sometimes they are incredibly depressing.The film is not excellent because it is not flawless; it has some obvious faults, compensated by the other wonders the movie offers. I was drinking tea when the movie started, so I turned on the light, planning to turn it off once I finished the tea, but I couldn't get my eyes off the screen.The wonders of the film come with their characters and their way of being and talking to each other. Talking is how they hide the truth; because even best friends betray themselves. Groups of friends get together to comment about women, but they all have something hidden. Anyway, they say things like: "The people in this country are not happy because it is not having sex"; and: "There are studies that say that we are all bisexual".Going back to the perfect way of love…As I say, I prefer reality, although I like unreal situations because they make me feel like impossible things can really occur. Now forget about "Nothing Hill", "Maid in Manhattan", "Love Actually" and all those beautiful but clichéd romantic comedies or dramas ("The story of us"); when you watch "El otro lado de la cama" you'll face the truth about romantic situations. The film also has a great comedic rhythm, and as love, humor comes from reality. It was not faked; I laughed out loud, more than when I watched any of the previous comedies.The cast is another of the wonders the movie has; full of naturally gifted Spanish recognized actors which make their characters human enough. It would have probably been the same with any actors, but I loved to see this dream cast. Ernesto Alterio (Javier), son of the incredible Héctor, Argentinean as him but living in Spain, seemed at first a little forced to me, but ultimately came as the most natural actor of the cast, with great dancing skills and comedic touches, funny faces. The natural Guillermo Toledo (Pedro) is outstanding only with his way of talking, but then he has many more details included in his performance. Respected and recognized, also Argentinean Natalia Verbeke (Paula) shows her big amount of talent again in another fine performance. Then Paz Vega (God, she's gorgeous)…An extremely measured and calculated performance, with sensuality and charm as the complex Sonia. Alberto San Juan (Rafa) steals every scene with his simplistic view of life and, above all, sex. María Esteve (Pilar), Nathalie Poza (Lucia), Ramón Barea (Antonio Sagaz, a detective; and "sagaz" means sagacious)…A unique gem in Spanish cinema.

I liked the WEST SIDE STORY/Umbrellas of Cherbourg combination--- the characters exude understated loneliness and passion/longing in their (usually) solitary musings/hallucinations like the doomed lovers in the French film; while the superbly choreographed dances are lively, flamboyant and outrageous, as in the Robert Wise musical classic.The picture's quality is so sleek, glossy and crisp- just like the sharply polished characters with their cool jobs and lifestyles. Although they tend to be alienating --- so "Melrose Place", they belong to a TV show rather than a movie, they're just too devastatingly gorgeous, hip and lucky--- some characters have the odd, downright pathetic (though emotionally lightweight) predicament that make us somehow care about them (and of course, envy them).What further heightens my TV soap-opera comparison is the characters being trapped in the little world they created themselves, which, although very exciting, is also very stressful and complicated. Hence, the songs are mostly performed in small, enclosed places and in medium shots and close-ups, unlike in the grand, majestic West Side Story and Umbrellas of Cherbourg musicals.The highstrung dramatic moments are kept in check by the funny, ironic twists and the characters' amusing weaknesses, and why is it that the men are such cads and a-holes and cute lovable hunks at the same time?Despite the preoccupation with very personal "issues", the film manages to get some social commentary in. Though the guys in testosterone overdrive just wanna have fun, they acknowledge the warrior-like quality of women and the fact that it is they who control the sexual relationship. Likewise, the characters take "marriage" humorously and lightly- in fact, even mock it with a naughty grin. Not a particularly illuminating and substantial film, but its bombastic, wacky dances, sexy anatomies galore and sizzling, riotous swinging-sex-partner-swapping action guarantee that you're in for an enjoyable rockin' and bed-rollin...Best seen "on the other side of the bed" with your partner

The plot is simple, but effective. The humor is just brilliant. A musical comedy (or a comical musical) with six excellent actors.I really enjoyed the film from the very first line to the great final with Calamaro's song.I was in a good mood, and this film pull it even higher, even though I have to admit this always happens when Paz Vega is in a film.It will not change your life, but it will certainly give you a good moment to remember.