The best film I've seen in a long while. A modern silent film, it's a true visual masterpiece. Words definitely would have just gotten in the way. Based on the Snow White fairy tale (though it's at its best when it's not following that story closely), the film follows a young girl, Carmen, after her mother dies in childbirth and her father (Daniel Gimenez Cacho) is made a paraplegic in a bullfight. As a child (played by the lovely Sofia Oria), she lives with her grandmother. When she dies, though, Carmen goes to live with her father and his new wife (Maribel Verdu, one of the most photogenic people on Earth). Of course, her stepmother is wicked. Her wheelchair-bound father is restricted to his bedroom. She's forbidden to see her father, but eventually she sneaks up to his room, where he teachers her the art of bullfighting. When Carmen grows up (now played by Macarena Garcia), her stepmother tries to dispatch her. She's saved by six bullfighting dwarfs, who, teaming up with the girl in their shows, bill themselves as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (the tale is known to them). This film isn't much about the story, although it is actually quite involving. The images are astounding. It's the kind of film where you could take any frame and hang it on your wall. The three main actresses are stunning. Verdu in particular - man, can that woman wear some clothes! The actresses playing Carmen both have these amazing eyes. I was swept along and absolutely amazed.
Review of Blancanieves
