The Man with Rain in His Shoes (1998)

Director:

María Ripoll

Writer:

Rafa Russo (writer)

Release Date:

25 June 1999 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Tagline:

In the game of love, three's are wild.

Plot:

A shambling, out-of-work actor, desperate to win back the affections of his ex-girlfriend, unexpectedly stumbles upon a way to turn back the clock.

Plot Keywords:

Actor | Destiny | Accident | Beautiful Woman | Repeated Event

Awards:

3 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Lena Headey	...	Sylvia Weld
Douglas Henshall	...	Victor Bukowski
Penélope Cruz	...	Louise
Gustavo Salmerón	...	Rafael
Mark Strong	...	Dave Summers
Eusebio Lázaro	...	Don Miguel
Charlotte Coleman	...	Alison Hayes
Neil Stuke	...	Freddy
Elizabeth McGovern	...	Diane
Antonio Gil	...	Director (as Antonio Gil-Martinez)
Heather Weeks	...	Carol
Inday Ba	...	Janice
Paul Popplewell	...	Simon
David Spinx	...	Vendor (as Dave Spinks)
David Fishley	...	Pianist (as Dave Fishley)

Also Known As:

If Only... (Australia) (France) (UK)
Lieber gestern als nie (Germany)
Lluvia en los zapatos (Spain)
Twice Upon a Yesterday (USA)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and a scene of sexuality.

Runtime:

91 min

Country:

Spain | France | UK | Germany | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Finland:K-10 | France:U | Germany:6 | Sweden:7 | UK:15 | USA:R

Filming Locations:

All Saints Road, Notting Hill, London, England, UK

Company:

CLT

Soundtrack:

Piece of My Heart

Simple, magical and fun movie

I was a little apprehensive about seeing this movie by some of the user comments calling it melancholic, dreary and overall bleak. Well, I instantly liked this movie. If anyone has ever had a relationship end badly, been cheated on or done the cheating, this is the movie for you. True, it is a dreary setting but the story is great and I found myself cheering for Victor and I instantly fell in love with Penelope Cruz. The story line is conventional in some senses but the element of magic that is missing in so many of today's films is key here. How the writer devised two magical garbagemen quoting Quixote I'll never know but it worked very well. I hope that no one goes to this expecting a life-changing experience but rather it is a simple, fun film. The ending is completely expected but nonetheless satisfying. It also leaves open possibilities that we are left to ponder as the magical garbagemen make a last cameo. The colors are vibrant and Cruz adds a spice that is lacking in Hollywood (sorry to all Salma Hayek fans but Cruz is definitely the one to watch). If it is showing anywhere near you, make the drive and go see it.