I did not know much about this film before I went but I hoped it may be like the Saura Carmen which was largely flamenco, paralleling the Carmen story and was terrific. As well as cinema, I enjoy flamenco, some modern dance and opera. Well, there was some good flamenco at the start by the mother but not much more. The dance was then sort of modern ballet like a young girl might do, waving their arms around, not particularly engaging or exciting. This is Carmen! I was more impressed by the choreography in Barbie (unexpected). Matter of taste maybe.
I gather the story was modelled more on Carmen Jones than the opera. There were some symbolic moments; washing of feet - refugees- but even they were not very emotive. The whole thing should have excited more than it did. Mescal and Miss Barrera were ok, but not much to work with given the uninspiring dialogue. It may have been somewhat "stylized" and that does not always work for me. Paul is a talented actor but needs better scripts than he has recently received (this & Aftersun). I woke up at one stage thinking I was in an Almodovar as the redoubtable Rossy de Palma peered down from the screen, but even she could not save this. I agree, disappointing.
I gather the story was modelled more on Carmen Jones than the opera. There were some symbolic moments; washing of feet - refugees- but even they were not very emotive. The whole thing should have excited more than it did. Mescal and Miss Barrera were ok, but not much to work with given the uninspiring dialogue. It may have been somewhat "stylized" and that does not always work for me. Paul is a talented actor but needs better scripts than he has recently received (this & Aftersun). I woke up at one stage thinking I was in an Almodovar as the redoubtable Rossy de Palma peered down from the screen, but even she could not save this. I agree, disappointing.