Two years ago, the European Union was voting on its Constitution. While in Madrid, I asked a friend why Europe had finally decided to unify when Hitler wanted the very same thing and failed. He said, "You can't force people, but you can pretend to give them a choice and they will go with the flow." That is what "The Girl of My Dreams" is about. Made in 1998, joining the soon-to-be-formed EU was topical. Is this movie a warning by contrasting present with past? Was Spain once again going with the flow? Although the flow in 1940 Spain was Franco or death and unlike the fall of Nazism, Franco's regime lasted 40 years. What most people don't realize about Franco's Spain is how in-bed the dictator was with the Nazis, despite his neutrality. Over 10,000 Spaniards were sent to Nazi concentration camps. Survivors and their families are now attempting to repatriate, hoping to receive social security. And now, we learn from this movie that Spanish cinema became a small part of the Nazi propaganda machine. What other movie has given us this Spanish perspective? A troupe of Spanish actors head to Germany in a co-production effort, which has failure written all over it. The set and extras are sub-par until Goebbels gets involved and falls for Macarena (Penelope Cruz). Although Goebbels was a mastermind, a monster and a womanizer, I can believe he would fall for such a beautiful woman. He too was human.
The naive troupe soon learns first hand the horrors of Nazism. Spain is known for its gypsies and its persecutions of its natives and the gypsies and Jews are the extras in the movie. The comparison is not lost on Macarena. Her sympathy for Václav Passer, the Russian Jew, is a parallel of her father's plight. How could she not empathize? How could they not save each other? Any other ending would be tragic.
Maybe Francoism isn't so bad after all, they think. All of them desperately want to go home. Throughout the troupe acts like Spaniards. To the untrained eye, the viewer may think they are being trite or ridiculous, acting out a farce. I disagree. These are Spaniards being Spanish in a German world. There is a crucial scene where the troupe sits around a table and swears allegiance to Franco, but in name only. Their body language says otherwise, which you'll miss if you're reading subtitles.
The subtitles don't do justice to the dialogue or the actors. The ensemble cast is a who's who of Spanish cinema. And Penelope is affecting an Andalucian accent that is a joy to listen to. This is a very funny film with dark overtones, much like "Life is Beautiful," although not so tragic and yet the comedy works. Also, there are nods to great films and period pieces. Don't be fooled, dear reader, in thinking Spanish cinema is so trite as to try and rip off "Casablanca." (How could anyone think that? It's called a "nod".) Not to mention, how else do you escape Goebbels? The only way to watch this film, if you are not fluent in Spanish, is to watch it twice, once for the dialogue, once for the acting. Penelope has powerful scenes where her body language and tone should not be eclipsed by understanding her words. Goebbels doesn't speak Spanish but understands perfectly, which shows what a monster he is. Don't let his limp fool you.
Give the movie a chance, and if you are disappointed, it's not the movie's fault. You missed something crucial and historic. Go back and watch it again.
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