Princesas (2006)
74 %
Reviews Counted: 31 Fresh: 23 Rotten:8 Average Rating: 6.5/10
Runtime: 1 hr 54 mins
Theatrical Release: Aug 23, 2006 Limited
Synopsis: Princesas is a film that will truly detach itself from your expectations. Caye comes from a middle-class family unaware of her life as a prostitute. She and the other "Spanish" whores hang out in a hair salon, complaining about cheaper immigrant putas stealing their business. One of them is... [More]
Genre: Foreign Films
Starring: Candela Peña
Director: Fernando León de Aranoa
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
With not a pimp in sight, no mention of people-trafficking, and a single token drug-addict, this Spanish prostitution drama is serenely old-fashioned.
Comment
12/28/07
The film has inspirational messages about the rewards of multicultural integration, but its tacit approval of prostitution as a rewarding career choice seems a bit peculiar.
12/28/07
Princesas is heartwarming and sporadically surprising, bolstered by beautifully measured performances.
12/28/07
Compelling, frequently funny and, commendably, resists wrapping things up sentimentally. Nice Manu Chao soundtrack, too.
12/28/07
Impressively directed, emotionally engaging drama with terrific performances from Candela Pena and newcomer Micaela Nevárez.
12/27/07
Despite the difficult subject matter, there is colour and energy to the storytelling that betrays a diehard optimism and is vaguely reminiscent of Pedro Almodovar's films. Aranoa keeps a loose, fluid feel to the action and ups the tempo with music.
12/25/07
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05/12/07
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04/06/07
One of the very best films ever made about that most enduring of professions, prostitution.
03/01/07
The most engaging presentation from the perspective of an exploited, female underclass since the equally-evocative Maria, Full of Grace.
02/09/07
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12/30/06
Una película entrañable y conmovedora sobre la amistad y la solidaridad entre dos mujeres, con dos estupendas actrices.
11/13/06
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10/01/06
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While Princesas offers sensitive and beautifully wrought performances by its two leads (Candela Pena and Micaela Nevarez, who each won Goya Awards), the film offers little new in way of substance or theme.
09/07/06
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Writer-director Fernando León de Aranoa embraces a pair of Madrid streetwalkers with such affection and compassion that their story, even though prostitutes are a staple of the movies, actually seems fresh and distinctive.
09/01/06
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Princesas rehearses 'hooker with a heart of gold' tropes and indulges Almodóvarian clichés of Spanish spunk and solidarity.
09/01/06
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Fernando Leon de Aranoa confirms his Loach-like ability to convert marginalized subjects into socially committed cinema.
08/25/06
Top CriticRelated Forums
Fernando León de Aranoa's PRINCESAS gets a USA theatrical release on August 23, 2006!
by: REEL_REVIEWER 3/30/07
by: REEL_REVIEWER 3/30/07
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