Review of Lola, la película

This biopic of Lola Flores begins in Jerez 1931 with the little girl trying to dance 'bulerias'. It advances quickly through the years of 1935 and 1939. Lola is cast as a gypsy dancer for a film shot in a studio in Madrid. She and her mother move to Madrid. By 1940 she is singing at 'cafe cantantes'. From then on the film follows her rise to success more diligently. There is her relationship with a wealthy antiques dealer, Arenzana, who finances her first attempt at a revue show with Manolo Caracol. Then on to the stormy relationship with the latter after the break up with Arenzana. Lola eventually becomes a celebrity. Her love life though is fraught with amorous disappointments, a topic that is central to the later half of the narrative.

If you plan to see this film based on the hope of seeing a lot of flamenco, don't. Except for the wonderful 'sapateado' that serves as background for the opening credits, the few other performances are disappointing.