My Mother Likes Women (2004)

Synopsis: MY MOTHER LIKES WOMEN (“A Mi Madre Le Gustan Las Mujeres”) is a staccato-paced comedy about three sisters whose lives are thrown off-kilter by their mother’s sudden sexual awakening. “Sofia,”... MY MOTHER LIKES WOMEN (“A Mi Madre Le Gustan Las Mujeres”) is a staccato-paced comedy about three sisters whose lives are thrown off-kilter by their mother’s sudden sexual awakening. “Sofia,” (Rosa Maria Sarda from “All About My Mother”), a renowned pianist, is long separated from the daughters’ father. It is on the occasion of her birthday that she delivers a stunning announcement: she has fallen in love again. Clearly smitten, she begins to describe her new lover: somewhat younger…also a pianist. The daughters, thrilled and eager to hear more, are interrupted by the doorbell. A woman walks in. The daring feature debut of Spanish directors Ines Paris and Daniela Fejerman, MY MOTHER LIKES WOMEN traces the emotional landscape of a “modern” family that nevertheless registers seismic shock at this unexpected news. Sofia’s daughters are the children of left-wing intellectuals. Yet, even their progressive background hasn’t prepared them for the emotions they experience when their mother brings her new lover into their lives. Leonor Watling (“Talk to Her.” “My Life Without Me”) leads the engaging ensemble cast in her role as the beautiful, neurotic daughter “Elvira.” Elvira’s shrink (Aitor Mazo) has been advising her to quit her job in publishing to write novels full time. He urges her to approach her mother about a temporary loan, but it appears that most of Sofia’s funds have already gone to pay off loans for “Eliska,” (Eliska Sirova) her Czech lover. Sister “Sol” (Silvia Abascal) the edgy lead singer of a rock band, sees her mother’s new sexual orientation as inspiration for her songwriting. And “Jimena,” (Maria Pujalte), struggles with her own preconceptions, resulting in a face-off with her conventional husband. Screwball comedy takes hold as the daughters begin to feel threatened by their mother’s new lifestyle. The daughters suspect that Sofia’s lover might be a gold-digger, thus hurtling them into a frenzied effort to “rescue” her. Their hilariously calibrated plot to separate the lovers involves Sol’s vixen-like seduction of Eliska whom they lure to a fresh-air outing. When it becomes clear that the real spark exists between the serious and sensitive Eliska and the literary Elvira, the sisters pressure Elvira to carry out the seduction. This throws the already-imbalanced Elvira into a profound crisis of sexual identity. It also compounds her confusion about her growing feelings for the impossibly wonderful “Miguel,” (Chisco Amado), who could potentially be the love of her life. After a few disastrous attempts to pursue a “healthy” relationship with Miguel, Elvira ends up at a bar with Eliska. Elvira finds comfort in their new friendship, but having drunk too much, an embarrassing encounter ensues and the two women pass out at Elvira’s apartment. The next morning when Eliska returns home, she finds a distraught and accusatory Sofia. Feeling horribly misunderstood, even though she is still desperately in love with Sofia, she flees to her homeland. Having succeeded in their frivolous plot, the daughters soon see the folly of having tried to separate their mother from her true love. Sofia is inconsolable and unproductive. Determined to undo their bad deed and see their mother happy again, Elvira, Sol, and Jimena set off on an impulsive journey to the Czech Republic to win Eliska back. -- © Norador Productions [More]

Starring: Leonor Watling, Maria Pujalte, Silvia Abascal, Rosa Maria Sarda

Starring: Leonor Watling, Maria Pujalte, Silvia Abascal, Rosa Maria Sarda, Eliska Sirova, Chisco Amado

Director: Ines Paris, Daniela Fejerman

Director: Ines Paris, Daniela Fejerman
Screenwriter: Ines Paris, Daniela Fejerman
Producer: Fernando Colomo, Beatriz de Gandero
Composer: Juan Bardem
Studio: Norador Productions

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