As the story opens, we are introduced to Gregoria, an unhappily married woman of a certain age, living with her husband in Madrid. We get clues as to why Gregoria, who appears to be a religious woman, deals with what is happening in her life at the market where we see her shopping, staring intently at the fish, that in her mind, begin to move, as though in response to what she is thinking. As she is about to get to her apartment, a painter, falls in front of her when the ropes that held him up break. This man tells Gregoria he is from a town in Galicia where there is a miraculous sanctuary before he collapses right before her eyes. Gregoria decides to deal with her husband in the only way she knows how.
Gregoria decides to abandon her abusive husband and embarks on a trip up north. She has no apparent plans, but fate gets in her way when she rescues a young boy from being run over by a car. The mother of the boy, Dorita is grateful, and invites Gregoria home for tea. It's clear the boy has taken a liking to Gregoria, who, when asked by Dorita, what is her name, she answers, Celia. As fate would have it, Dorita is looking for a person to take care of Daniel, her son. The only objection to hiring Celia comes from the father of the boy, Roberto, who wants references that the woman can't produce.
The pious Celia is drawn toward the famous sanctuary, where she witnesses a wooden cross crash as she is praying. Daniel clearly loves Celia, but her relationship with Roberto, his father, leaves a lot to be desired. We realize something is wrong with Celia when things turn ugly in the house. It's clear Roberto and Dorita are having difficulties and she wants a vacation away from it all to help solve their marital problems. That is the state of affairs when Celia decides to take care of things as she knows she is being dismissed from her employment.
Director Hector Carre, who co-wrote the screen play, sets his story in a way that we perceive what Celia is fighting for her rights to stay with Daniel, at all costs, but in reality, it's all in Celia's sick mind where all these things are happening. The final scene in the film clearly shows Celia's liberation as she returns home.
Carmen Maura, who plays Gregoria/Celia, is the best reason for watching this Gothic tale that takes place in Galicia. Ms. Maura captures all the nuances of her character and her inter action with young Santiago Baron, who is seen as Daniel, is delightful. Ana Fernandez, appears as Dorita and makes a valuable contribution. She is an actress who should be seen more often.
This is a strange horror story in which its director, Hector Carre, shows a knack for telling it with great style.
Gregoria decides to abandon her abusive husband and embarks on a trip up north. She has no apparent plans, but fate gets in her way when she rescues a young boy from being run over by a car. The mother of the boy, Dorita is grateful, and invites Gregoria home for tea. It's clear the boy has taken a liking to Gregoria, who, when asked by Dorita, what is her name, she answers, Celia. As fate would have it, Dorita is looking for a person to take care of Daniel, her son. The only objection to hiring Celia comes from the father of the boy, Roberto, who wants references that the woman can't produce.
The pious Celia is drawn toward the famous sanctuary, where she witnesses a wooden cross crash as she is praying. Daniel clearly loves Celia, but her relationship with Roberto, his father, leaves a lot to be desired. We realize something is wrong with Celia when things turn ugly in the house. It's clear Roberto and Dorita are having difficulties and she wants a vacation away from it all to help solve their marital problems. That is the state of affairs when Celia decides to take care of things as she knows she is being dismissed from her employment.
Director Hector Carre, who co-wrote the screen play, sets his story in a way that we perceive what Celia is fighting for her rights to stay with Daniel, at all costs, but in reality, it's all in Celia's sick mind where all these things are happening. The final scene in the film clearly shows Celia's liberation as she returns home.
Carmen Maura, who plays Gregoria/Celia, is the best reason for watching this Gothic tale that takes place in Galicia. Ms. Maura captures all the nuances of her character and her inter action with young Santiago Baron, who is seen as Daniel, is delightful. Ana Fernandez, appears as Dorita and makes a valuable contribution. She is an actress who should be seen more often.
This is a strange horror story in which its director, Hector Carre, shows a knack for telling it with great style.