The Girl of Your Dreams (1998)

Lack of good storyline.

disgusting, overrated, pointless

If you're interested in the topic at hand, you should just watch it and judge yourself because the reviews have gone very biased by people that didn't even watch it and just hate (or love) the creator. I liked it, it was well written, narrated, and directed and it was about a topic that interests me.

There's a more than satisfactory amount of boom-boom in the movie's trim running time.

This is an enjoyable and light comedy set during the Spanish Civil War and Nazi Germany . A very pleasant comedy plenty of humor , emotion , sensitive scenes and mayhem . A company of Spanish movie makers leaves Franco's Spain and moves to Hitler's Germany to make a film in co-production . During the Spanish Civil War , the troupe goes from Spain for a joint production with Nazi UFA led by Goebbles and including a filmmaker who bears remarkable resemblance to Fritz Lang . Besides the problems of any movie set , add to the tensions : a drama about Jews ; as Nazis use Jewish and Gypsy prisoners (Karel Dobry) as extras to give an Andalucian look , the director (Antonio Resines) is sleeping with his main actress named Macarena Granada (Penelope Cruz) with no intention of leaving his spouse , and Macarena cooperates with this Nazi objective in hopes of freeing her daddy from one of Franco's prison . Soon some problems start to arise when Goebbels (Johannes Silberscheneider) himself plies her with favors, the filmmaker and the rest of the crew (Jorge Sanz , Neus Asensi , Rosa Maria Sarda , Loles Leon, Santiago Segura , Jesus Bonilla) encourage her to sleep with him for the good of the filming . This is an Award Winning picture by Fernando Trueba , the director of ¨Belle Epoque¨ . Comedy with historical background and movie troupe way-of-life elements ; adding culture and politics , including enjoyable performances and adequate set design . ¨La Niña De Tus Ojos¨ results to be other of the innumerable stories to deal with deeds regarding Spanish Civil War , but including jealousies , antics and sexual escapades , being set in Nazi Deutschland , too . A familiar theme about the global horrors of a fratricide war , impossible to forget to our cinema . Based on true events during the filming of Carmen (1938) and Nights in Andalucia (1938), both starring Imperio Argentina . An agreeable story plenty of amusing moments , moving feelings and fun finale . It is a light , wistful comedy , easy to watch , and easier to love . It is as beautifully filmed as it is written and acted . This is one of those rare gems that does not stray from its purpose - to be a celebration of love and romance - and comic tale of a company who suffers several dangers and funny situations in another country during a hectic time , including the sad ¨Kristallnachat¨, (1938), being splendidly recreated . This is an tragicomedy that blends tragic elements , humor and irony . A serious/ironic film about xenophobia , racism and Jews brutal persecution . Director Fernando Trueba , also writes the interesting script along with prestigious screenwriter Rafael Azcona , Luis Garcia Berlanga's usual and David Trueba , Fernando's brother . Filmed in his usual formal and luxurious style , without leaving a trace the joyful themes , in terms of fun and narrative excitement . Unforgettable Penelope Cruz who though plays a Folkloric player , Imperio Argentina lookalike , she parades sexily at her best and more relaxed and enticing than ever . The hit of the show is undoubtedly for the fetching Penelope who gives one of the best screen acting . Very good secondary cast formed by Spanish familiar faces such as Rosa Maria Sarda , Neus Asensi , Santiago Segura , Jesus Bonilla , Maria Barranco , Juan Luis Galiardo as the Ambassador and many others . Evocative and jolly musical score by Antoine Duhamel , including various Folkloric songs marvelously sung by Penelope Cruz . In addition , a spotless pictorial cinematography by Javier Aguirresarobe and a willingness , almost perfect of the elements of each shot , every sequence , every space ; being filmed in Prague , Czech Republic . Aguirresarobe subsequently would make a prestigious career in Hollywood such as ¨Fright night , ¨The twilight saga: eclipse¨, ¨The road¨ , ¨The others¨ and many others . The picture is entertaining and well worth your time . The film is light and never somber, no small accomplishment from Fernando Trueba and his team.This simple, delightful motion picture was well directed by Fernando Trueba . His first success was Ópera Prima (1980) following the style of the "Madrid comedy". He had major success with Sé Infiel y No mires Quién (1985) also known as : Be Wanton and Tread No Shame , starting a longer collaboration with the producer Andrés Vicente Gómez . He went on directing numerous successes such as Coarse salt , Too Much , Milagro de Candeal , Year of Enlightment , The Girl of Your Dreams , Calle 54 , Embrujo De Shanghai , Chico and Rita and recently : The Artist and the Model . Trueba was President of the Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and he received the 1994 Oscar for Best Foreign Film to Belle Epoque (1992) .

Two years ago, the European Union was voting on its Constitution. While in Madrid, I asked a friend why Europe had finally decided to unify when Hitler wanted the very same thing and failed. He said, "You can't force people, but you can pretend to give them a choice and they will go with the flow." That is what "The Girl of My Dreams" is about. Made in 1998, joining the soon-to-be-formed EU was topical. Is this movie a warning by contrasting present with past? Was Spain once again going with the flow? Although the flow in 1940 Spain was Franco or death and unlike the fall of Nazism, Franco's regime lasted 40 years. What most people don't realize about Franco's Spain is how in-bed the dictator was with the Nazis, despite his neutrality. Over 10,000 Spaniards were sent to Nazi concentration camps. Survivors and their families are now attempting to repatriate, hoping to receive social security. And now, we learn from this movie that Spanish cinema became a small part of the Nazi propaganda machine. What other movie has given us this Spanish perspective? A troupe of Spanish actors head to Germany in a co-production effort, which has failure written all over it. The set and extras are sub-par until Goebbels gets involved and falls for Macarena (Penelope Cruz). Although Goebbels was a mastermind, a monster and a womanizer, I can believe he would fall for such a beautiful woman. He too was human.The naive troupe soon learns first hand the horrors of Nazism. Spain is known for its gypsies and its persecutions of its natives and the gypsies and Jews are the extras in the movie. The comparison is not lost on Macarena. Her sympathy for Václav Passer, the Russian Jew, is a parallel of her father's plight. How could she not empathize? How could they not save each other? Any other ending would be tragic.Maybe Francoism isn't so bad after all, they think. All of them desperately want to go home. Throughout the troupe acts like Spaniards. To the untrained eye, the viewer may think they are being trite or ridiculous, acting out a farce. I disagree. These are Spaniards being Spanish in a German world. There is a crucial scene where the troupe sits around a table and swears allegiance to Franco, but in name only. Their body language says otherwise, which you'll miss if you're reading subtitles.The subtitles don't do justice to the dialogue or the actors. The ensemble cast is a who's who of Spanish cinema. And Penelope is affecting an Andalucian accent that is a joy to listen to. This is a very funny film with dark overtones, much like "Life is Beautiful," although not so tragic and yet the comedy works. Also, there are nods to great films and period pieces. Don't be fooled, dear reader, in thinking Spanish cinema is so trite as to try and rip off "Casablanca." (How could anyone think that? It's called a "nod".) Not to mention, how else do you escape Goebbels? The only way to watch this film, if you are not fluent in Spanish, is to watch it twice, once for the dialogue, once for the acting. Penelope has powerful scenes where her body language and tone should not be eclipsed by understanding her words. Goebbels doesn't speak Spanish but understands perfectly, which shows what a monster he is. Don't let his limp fool you.Give the movie a chance, and if you are disappointed, it's not the movie's fault. You missed something crucial and historic. Go back and watch it again.

I have just got this film on DVD I saw it a couple of years ago during a Penelope Cruz season in Manchester, I enjoyed it then & I enjoyed it just as much now.As a non-Spanish speaker I still got the comic elements & the historical references to a point & now I have it on DVD I can go back & check any bits I have missed.I just like the characters in this film, the fish out of water element of the Spanish in Nazi Germany is very funny the off the cuff one liners are priceless.Cruz & Resinas may be the focus of the film & they are lead the way but everyone gets a moment to shine in this film, segura is my favourite he always steals some or all the limelight in any film he appears.I would heartily recommend this film it may not be up to Belle Epoque but its not far behind.

"The Girl of Your Dreams" is a dramady which manages neither comedy nor drama and falls on its face with a nonstory screenplay which is little more than a whole lot of bantering and busy work. Telling of a Spanish film company which goes to Berlin during the Nazification of Germany (circa 1938) where the star, Macarena (Cruz), becomes the unwilling object of affection of Nazi propagandist and womanizer Joseph Goebbels, this flick is flat and seemingly devoid of purpose. Although the film has a lot to offer from a solid cast and good production value, its story is devoid of all that stuff we go to movies to see. Requiring two hours of subtitle reading, "The Girl of Your Dreams" is one very well made dud which is almost certain to leave you cold. (C+)