How to Be Miserable and Enjoy It (1994) [N/A]
Featuring:
Carmen Maura, Antonio Resines, Asunción Balaguer
Written by:
José Luis García Sánchez
Carmen Rico-Godoy
Directed by:
Enrique Urbizu
Release Date:
February 10, 1994
Original Title:
Cómo ser infeliz y disfrutarlo
Genres:
Comedy
Production Companies:
Atresmedia
Atrium Productions
Canal+ España
Iberoamericana Films Produccion
Promociones Audiovisuales Reunidas
Production Countries:
Spain
Ratings / Certifications:
RO: 15
Runtime: 85
Carmen, an attractive 40 year old woman, suddenly belongs a widow. For her, the emptiness feeling is new and disorienting. Trying to rebuild her life, Carmen finds that men around her are interested in offering her more than a shoulder to mourn. The unexpected pregnancy of his daughter, putting even more pressure on Carmen. She brings her daughter back and to look after the baby together. This becomes one more element to overcome in their efforts to organize themselves.
Carmen, a newspaper journalist, is made a widow early in the story when her husband has a massive heart attack and dies. Her life alone, is not exactly what she probably thought it was going to be. Coping with her loss, she goes on with the job, which is about the only thing in her life that gives her some satisfaction.To make matters worse, she finds out her only daughter, Marta, is pregnant. Being practical, she has the young woman return to Madrid to be near her. Her old home is full of memories that she wants to get rid of, so she begins searching for an pent house apartment overlooking the Retiro Park, something that proves to be a difficult task for her. The men she meets are not exactly what she was hoping for, as they don't compare with the dead husband.Enrique Urbizu directed this Spanish film based on a book that might be an autobiography of Carmen Rico Godoy, a newspaper woman with a column in one of Spain's leading newspapers. Perhaps the novel was a lot better than what was presented as a film. The only reason for watching this movie was Carmen Maura, one of the most accomplished actresses in the Spanish cinema. Her take on the main character is what saves the film, which suffers from a weak screenplay.
