A dramatic and strange comedy film produced/written/directed by José Luis Borau with a great Spanish cast . It deals with Elvira Goicoechea (Carmen Maura) , the daughter of a disgraced military , entered a convent very young . Some years later, because of a crisis , she decides to leave the religious life and leave her confinement . Looking for the moral support of her intimate Tata or nanny (Imperio Argentina) who is living at an Aragones village , Elvira goes to Murillo de Gállego, Zaragoza, Aragón , and she gathers together with her in order to accompany her to Madrid . Both of whom go back their home in Madrid to deal with the inheritance issues with her antiphatetic brother Alberto (Miguel Rellán) who wants her sister Elvira returns to convent . There Elvira meets a British writer (Xavier Elorriaga) who's writing a book about her father , a late and brave general who was locked during the Francoist period , as well as her neighbour and infancy friend (Alfredo Landa) . However , then things go wrong .
An interesting and engaging comedy based on his own script that connects with the best national tradition , halfway between the inner personal adventure, the confrontation with new life conditions and the metaphor about the situation in Spain after the period of political Transition . A dramedy (drama and comedy) dealing with an ex-nun who returns house where she spent her childness , but resulting in the country has changed so much during her years at the convent that has little or nothing to do with her past memories . The film is acceptable and decent but inferior other José Luis Borau films . Among the broad and brilliant cast, stands out the works of the always sympathetic Carmen Maura , the classic actress Imperio Argentina giving a terrific acting as the stubborn , beloved nanny , the great Alfredo Landa and Miguel Rellán as her reluctant and unfriendly brother . Along with a splendid support cast with plenty of familar faces , such as : Xabier Elorriaga , Marisa Paredes , Julieta Serrano , Enriqueta Carballeira , Alicia Moro , Chema Mazo , Félix Dafauce , Adrián Ortega , Saturno Cerra and two teens : Emma Suárez to be followed a successful career and early deceased Paloma Gómez who married Jorge Sanz.
It displays an atmospheric and adequate cinematography by excellent cameraman Teo Escamilla , shot on location in Agüero, Huesca, Ayerbe, Riglos, Huesca, Aragón, Murillo de Gállego, Zaragoza, Aragón, and Madrid . Likewise , evocative musical score by Jacobo Durán Loriga , including a vintage song : El carretero written by Florián Rey , music by Rafael Martínez , José Rivera and performed by Imperio Argentina . The motion picture was well written/produced/directed by José Luis Borau , being awarded as the best filmmaker by the Circle of Cinema Writers . Furthermore , it had various prizes nad nominations as Fotogramas de Plata 1987 Nominee Best Movie Actress Carmen Maur and Goya Awards 1987 Winner Goya Best Supporting Actor Miguel Rellán , Nominee Goya Best Screenplay José Luis Borau . José began to publish articles about cinema in the newspaper "El Heraldo De Aragon" and critic of cinema in the same newspaper . Enters the Spanish Instituto De Investigaciones y Experiencias Cinematograficas in Madrid (Official Cinema School) and several years later being President of the Spanish Academy . Borau was a notorious writer and director , one of the best Spanish filmmakers , especially known for ¨Furtivos¨ or ¨Poachers¨ . He had a great career , alternating flops as ¨Rio Abajo¨ , ¨Leo¨, ¨Tata Mia¨, ¨Niño Nadie¨ along with successes as ¨Hay Que Matar a B¨ , ¨Mi Querida Señorita¨ , ¨Celia¨ and ¨Furtivos¨ . Rating : 6/10 . The flick will appeal to Carmen Maura and Alfredo Landa fans , as well as Spanish cinema enthusiasts . Well worth watching .