El palo (2001)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Eva Lesmes

Writer:

Luis Marías (writer)

Release Date:

4 May 2001 (Spain)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

Lola's a single mom, broke, working as a janitor and maid. Silvia is pregnant, and her lover (her boss) won't leave his wife...

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Adriana Ozores	...	Lola
Malena Alterio	...	Violeta "Pecholata"
Maribel Verdú	...	Silvia
Carmen Maura	...	Maite
Juan Gea	...	Director
Jaime Pujol	...	Gustavo
Joaquín Climent	...	Enrique
Antònia Martínez	...	Abuela
Alejandro Sigüenza	...	Daniel
Omar Muñoz	...	Felipe
Pep Guinyol	...	Cajero
Francisco Casares	...	Inspectór Policía (as Paco Casares)
Chelo Vivares	...	Monja
Diana Palazón	...	Luisa
Lina Mira	...	Vanessa

Also Known As:

The Hold-Up (International: English title)

Runtime:

87 min | Argentina:87 min (Mar del Plata Film Festival)

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Spain:T | Australia:M

Company:

Bocaboca Producciones

Soundtrack:

Abracadabra

The heist

Imagine the life of Lola, a young woman in Madrid who is trying to make ends meet after the separation from her abusive husband. She has two jobs cleaning a bank and the home of Maite, a widow who finds herself also facing poverty because she finds out her husband left her almost dispossessed. Lola, who after getting an advance from Maite is mugged, has had it. When she meets the young punk girl that took her money, instead of asking for her money back, she wants advice on how to go ahead robbing the bank where she works!

Lola's best friend, Silvia, finds herself pregnant from the owner of the beauty salon where she works as a beautician. After this man tells her he is leaving Madrid, she decides she must do something. That's when Lola tells her about the caper she is preparing and she also enlist Violeta and Maite to help her carry on her plans. This quartet is a funny one, indeed. Since they are not professional criminals, they act on their instincts.

This feminist comedy, directed by Eva Lesmes, whose work has been seen mainly on television, is hilarious because the work of the four actresses in the leading roles. The men are only seen as incompetent and selfish individuals that don't deserve them.

Adriana Ozores, is a fine Lola, the mastermind of the caper. The best thing in the film though, is Maribel Verdu, who as Silvia gives a great performance as the happy-go-lucky young woman who is facing tough issues. The great Carmen Maura appears as Maite, the sobering voice of the quartet. Malena Alterio is the punk Violeta.

This funny comedy works well because the ensemble acting and a good direction by Ms. Lesmes.