Malena es un nombre de tango (1996)

The life and times of Malena from adolescence into adulthood, as she distinguishes herself from her rival older sister, whose interactions with Malena, her lovers and her children over time... See full summary »

Director:

Gerardo Herrero

Writers:

Almudena Grandes (novel), Senel Paz

Stars:

Ariadna Gil, Marta Belaustegui, Carlos López

2 wins.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ariadna Gil	...	Malena
Marta Belaustegui	...	Reina
Carlos López	...	Fernando
Luis Fernando Alvés	...	Santiago
Isabel Otero	...	Magda
Alicia Hermida	...	Paulina
Dafne Fernández	...	Malena niña
Rebeca Fernández	...	Reina niña
Alicia Agut	...	Mercedes
Marina Saura	...	Madre de Malena
Roman Luknár	...	Hristo
Jorge San José	...	Pedrito
Miguel Palenzuela	...	Abuelo Pedro
Jesús Ruyman	...	Agustín
Ana Otero	...	Mariana

Storyline

The life and times of Malena from adolescence into adulthood, as she distinguishes herself from her rival older sister, whose interactions with Malena, her lovers and her children over time vary from the cordial to the unethical.

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Country:

Spain France Germany

Release Date:

12 April 1996 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Malena is the Name of a Tango

Filming Locations:

Mula, Murcia, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alta Films, Blue Dahlia Productions, Road Movies Dritte Produktionen

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Natalia Dicenta dubbed Isabel Otero.

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Soundtracks

No puedo mirar
Written by Antonio Vega

User Reviews

Below average dramatic adaptation with ridiculous situations , bad paced and embarrassing interpretations

The life and times of Malena (Ariadana Gil) from little girl (played by Dafne Fernández) and teenager into adulthood , as she distinguishes herself from her rival older sister Reina (Marta Beláustegui) and relying heavily on the relationships among the main characters , a complex loving cobweb plenty of deceptions , pain , mistrust and lies .

This is a thought-provoking drama with emotion , routine plot , unfriendly family relationship , jealousy , profanity , romance including a lot of sexual scenes but also contains too much dialogue and many other things . Intense and heart-rending melodrama about a peculiar and suffering pair of unlikeable sisters . This tiring as well as dramatical story is a passionate retelling and a touching melodrama , adding strong sex scenes and nudism . Based on a bestseller written by Almudena Grandes , a successful writer whose novels are filled with sex and dramatic as well erotic relations among her personages . Her novels and books have been adapted to big screen in various films titled : ¨Castillos De Cartón ¨, ¨Atlas Geografía Humana¨ , ¨Los Aires Difíciles¨ , ¨Geografía Del Deseo¨ , ¨Aunque Tú No lo Sepas¨ and ¨Las Edades De Lulú¨ . This ¨Malena is the Name of a Tango¨ packs an uneven plot that relies heavily on the relationship among sisters protagonists Malena/Ariadna Gil and her sibling Reina/Marta Belaustegui whose interactions with Malena, her lovers and her children over time vary from the cordial to the unethical . Their interpretations result to absurd and lifeless , playing two unkind roles . Support cast is frankly good such as Luis Fernando Alvés , Isabel Otero , Alicia Hermida , Ana Otero , Susi Sánchez , Juan Carlos Vellido , Dafne Fernández , Miguel Palenzuela , among others . The main problem has to face , beyond not being able to avoid falling into a little interesting drama , it is derived from the coldness of its staging , excessive dialog and some slow-moving scenes . Because the story needs a vibration more real than the one offered in this sometimes dull as well as sad flick , though also develops some enjoyable moments . Anyway, it's is compensated with an adequate cinematography by Alfredo Mayo including spotless pictorial images and a willingness , almost perfect of the elements of each shot , every sequence , every space ; setting rightly the seventies and eighties . Furthermore , a sensitive and appropriate musical score by the notorious Antoine Duhamel , recently deceased , a prolific French composer who has composed excellent soundtracks and with a long career .

The motion picture was lousily directed , and without enthusiasm , by Gerardo Herrero . Gerardo is a famous producer as well as filmmaker . He was President of the Spanish Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (1994-1994) . Great producer of big hits , being especially known for The Secret of your ears (2009), Sin Retorno (2010) , Balada Triste de Trompeta (2010) , Crimenes De Oxford (2008) and El Hijo De La Novia (2001). He also directed some good films such as ¨Silencio En Nieve¨ , ¨Corredor Nocturno¨ , ¨Principio Arquímedes¨ , ¨Crimen Galindez¨ , ¨Frontera Sur¨, ¨Territorio Comanche¨ , ¨Desvio a Paraíso¨ , ¨Al Acecho¨ and ¨Heroína¨ .