El tiempo de la felicidad (1997) Poster

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6/10
A sensitive comedy with dramatic elements set in the 70s Ibiza stars an unique family
ma-cortes19 December 2022
It's set in summer 1970 with the "hippy" movement in full swing , a somewhat atypical family spends their holidays in Ibiza . During their stay , they will live pleasant sunny days, first loves and also some bad moments . In a beach house, a very unique family begins their summer vacation, which will change everyone's lives : the father Fernando (Antonio Resines) , a womanizer actor , the mother Lucia (Verónica Forqué) , a devoted housewife, and their four children : the eldest Chucho (Pepón Nieto) , the wannabe actress Elena (María Adánez) , the car-crazy Juan (Carlos Fuentes) and the youngest intellectual Verónica (Silvia Abascal) . The children , for their part , will learn during that summer to mature based on illusions and disappointments.

An agreeable picture dealing with a slight drama when the hippie movement has taken over an entire generation , containing hints of comedy , this film has more thought-provoking issues than it seems , but above all , it ends up being a pleasant and likeable proposal , in which there's a competent direction of actors made by Iborra and the fine interpretation of all of them , standing out Verónica Forqué , who knows how to take advantage of the fact that she has the most charming character . An enjoyable family comedy in which Manuel Iborra tries to tell us the ¨hippy Ibiza¨ of the sixties and seventies . The picture is decent enough , though some scenes , and the roles' reactions to many of the events, are not at all believable, and in various scenes they go from laughing to crying and angry to smiling in the blink of an eye . Not to mention that the story isn't a great thing either , and the idea isn't good enough for the film ; however, deserving generally a total approval. The team is practically the same as the fun series "Pepa y Pepe" including director Manuel Iborra and actresses as Verónica Forque , Silvia Abascal and María Adánez . Stars Antonio Resines playing an actor by profession , he's a man who has never taken enough care of his family and Verónica Forqué as the mother, who sacrificed her acting career for her children , she lives devoted to them body and soul . Verónica Forqué and Pepón Nieto , whose two performances are the only ones capable of carrying the weight of the entire film on their backs ; however , Pepón Nieto gives overacting as a mental deficiency young .The beginning is not bad but soon it starts to be a compendium of very forced situations and sometimes a little implausible . Above all predominates the attractive and feeling relationships that are established among the beloved characters along the film . Nevertheless , neither husband with wife , nor mother with children , nor brothers with sisters and even those outside the family do not behave , let's say , credible . Perhaps the only thing that stands out is the good interpretation of Veronica Forqué with a rather complicated role and an excellent soundtrack watered with the leading artists of the time , such as : Janis Joplin , Bob Dylan and specially Leonard Cohen. Including the following songs : ¨Suzanne¨ written and performed by Leonard Cohen , ¨Bird on the Wire¨ written and performed by Leonard Cohen , ¨Me and Bobby McGee¨ written by Fred Foster and Kris Kristofferson performed by Janis Joplin , ¨All Along the Watchtower written and performed by Bob Dylan and ¨Four Strong Winds¨ written by Ian Tyson incorrectly credited to Neil Young performed by Neil Young.

The motion picture was regular but professionally directed by Manuel Iborra , as it has some flaws , gaps and shortcomings. Iborra is a good writer and director , a craftsman who has made various cinema and TV films , such as : La fiesta de los locos (2016) , The Leftlovers (2014) , La dama boba (2006) , La vida de Rita (2003) , Clara y Elena (2001), Pepe Guindo (1999), La mujer de tu vida 2 (1994), Orquesta Club Virginia (1992) , Las chicas de hoy en día (1991) and Pepa y Pepe (1995) with Verónica Forqué and Tito Valverde . Rating : 5.5/10 . Acceptable and passable film . In short , another unknown film from Spanish cinema , although in this case it is also recognized that the production is not vulgar or mediocre , just wrong in a few important aspects . It can be seen by the ordinary youngsters and depending on the moment , someone adults will also enjoy it .
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8/10
Happy times during the summer of 1970 on the Spanish coast
gonz3029 February 2000
THE TIME OF HAPPINESS, the official and literal English translation of the original title sums up the film perfectly. This is a light, family-oriented (in the Spanish sense) dramatic comedy with a predictable cast of characters. Of real curiosity value is the cast. The parents are played by two of Spain's best adult actors (even back then), but the children and their friends are played by young actors who have recently blossomed into Spain's biggest stars: Fele Martinez (ABRE LOS OJOS, AMANTES DEL CIRCULO POLAR), Liberto Rabal (the male "Live Flesh" in CARNE TREMULA), Pepon Nieto, and Carlos Fuentes.
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