Belle époque ****

Belle époque is one of my favourite comedies. A brief synopsis from Netflix:


Handsome young soldier Fernando (Jorge Sanz) deserts from the army during the Spanish Civil War and befriends a free-thinking artist. But when he meets his new friend's four daughters, he finds himself in a romantic dilemma -- which woman should he romance? In a neat twist, the women do the deciding, as each in her turn tries to seduce him. Penelope Cruz co-stars in this passionately comic romp.


Length:
109 minutes

Director:
Fernando Trueba
Cast:
Penélope Cruz
Jorge Sanz
Miriam Diaz Aroca
Gabino Diego
Fernando Fernán Gómez
Michel Galabru
Ariadna Gil
Agustin Gonzalez
Chus Lampreave
Mary Carmen Ramirez
Maribel Verdú

This enchantingly hilarious movie in my opinion is about a boy who wants to do the honourable thing. The young man has left the army because he no longer wants to fight. He befriends an old man who is living along at the time. The old man gives the Fernando a bed for the night. They become drinking buddies for a bit. Since the old man's four daughters are due to arrive soon, he rushes Fernando to the train station before all hell breaks loose.

Fernando is about to get on the train when the four sisters arrive. He is spellbound. The cinematography at the point of arrival was very good. Even I was entranced. Of course, now that Fernando has seen the four stunning women, he can't leave. He sniffs after them like a tom cat. I must admit it is rather funny to watch as Fernando is seduced by each of the sisters.

Each one of the daughters possesses a different personality. It is hard to even figure out how these four women could be sisters. The sisters lead him on a merry chase. The 3 older ones are all experienced and enjoy a good tumble. After each tumble, Fernando feels he must do the right thing. The right thing is to offer to marry them. The old man laughs as Fernando tries to speak to him about marrying his daughters. After each unsuccessful marriage proposal, Fernando is determined to leave. He never quite makes it out . . .

******************** SPOILERS **********************
The most amusing proposal is when he asks for the 2nd eldest sister's hand in marriage. The sister is played by Adriana Gil. Adriana plays the butch tom boy to the hilt. Even in the act of sex, she is dressed as a man and Fernando is a dressed as a girl. She takes him by riding on top. Poor Fernando is overwhelmed. When Fernando goes to the old man and states he now wants to marry Adriana, the old man nearly keels over laughing. Fernando finds out it is because the old man considers Adriana as a son he never had.

At the end, Fernando finally marries the youngest daughter, played by Penélope Cruz before she was famous in the States.

The mischief that the 3 older sisters play on Fernando is always fun to watch. I recommend this light hearted flick to anyone wanting a fun Saturday afternoon movie.