Waiting for the Hearse (1985)

Each member of this family tries to endorse someone else to care for the old Mother.

Director:

Alejandro Doria

Writers:

Alejandro Doria (screenplay), Jacobo Langsner (play)

Stars:

Luis Brandoni, China Zorrilla, Antonio Gasalla

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Luis Brandoni	...	Antonio
China Zorrilla	...	Elvira
Antonio Gasalla	...	Mamá Cora
Julio De Grazia	...	Jorge
Betiana Blum	...	Nora
Mónica Villa	...	Susana
Juan Manuel Tenuta	...	Sergio
Andrea Tenuta	...	Matilde
Cecilia Rossetto	...	Dominga
Enrique Pinti	...	Felipe
Darío Grandinetti	...	Cacho
Lidia Catalano	...	Emilia
Clotilde Borella	...	Doña Elisa
Juan Acosta	...	Peralta
Angelita Pardo	...	Madre Felipe

Storyline

Mamá Cora (Antonio Gasalla) is about 80 years old and she has three sons and a daughter. Mamá lives with one of them, unfortunately, the one who is in the worst economic position. One day, all the members of the family have a reunion to celebrate an anniversary. In the middle of the whole thing, an awkward question appears out of nowhere: ¿Who's going to be Mamá Cora's heir? ¿Who is going to take care of her during her last days in this world?. The answer is not easy and it doesn't take too long for the members of this bizarre family to start a terrible and yet hilarious fight. However, in the middle of the whole thing, they're interrupted by some disturbing breaking news.

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Plot Keywords:

child swearing | poorness | elderly woman | soccer | police officer | 

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Genres:

Comedy

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Did You Know?

Trivia

When the movie was released, it wasn't very well received. However, years after, when it was aired on TV for the first time on a weekly TV show about Argentine cinema, the rating was so high that they had put it on again the very next week, at the request of the audiences.

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Quotes

Nora: [when Elvira is trying to take her sunglasses off] No! Not my sunglasses! I hate noon's sunlight.
Elvira: Oh, right...
[to Sergio, her husband, as she leaves]
Elvira: Sergio! take care of the 'drinks'
[in English]
Nora: [ironically, to Sergio] 'Drinks'? Those language lessons seem to be paying off.
Sergio: Yes, she already learned how to say 'No' in four different languages.

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Connections

Followed by Esperando la carroza 2: Se acabó la fiesta (2009)

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Soundtracks

Mi vaca lechera
Written by Fernando García Morcillo y Jacobo Morcillo
Performed by Feliciano Brunelli y orquesta

User Reviews

family argues... goes like almodovar

Or en espanol, Esperando la Corrazzo. Mama Cora has been living with Jorge and Susana for four years now, and is starting to go senile. She's doing crazy things that drive Susana crazy. The couple needs a break from mama, and they talk to the other siblings about taking her for a while. So much arguing, cussing, accusing, yelling, bringing up old conflicts, affairs... Meanwhile.... there's a report of an old lady found dead across town, so of course they rush over to see if it's really her. Mistakes are made, more arguing. Some really funny stuff in here. a farce. Lot's of surprises in this one! found this one on netflix while I was looking for something else. Great stuff! Original Play by Jacobo Langsner. Directed by Alejandro Doria. this one seems like an Almodovar film. family conflicts, arguing, secrets coming out. although the conversations are all faster and louder.

Details

Country:

Argentina

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

6 May 1985 (Argentina)

Also Known As:

Czekając na karawan

Filming Locations:

Versalles, Buenos Aires, Federal District, Argentina

Box Office

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$596,550

Company Credits

Production Co:

Rosafrey, Susy Suranyi y Asociados

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1