You’ve probably seen Penélope Cruz in plenty of high-stakes Hollywood dramas, but there’s something special about seeing her play a woman who is a high-stakes Hollywood star. That’s basically the premise of The Queen of Spain movie (originally La reina de España), a 2016 flick that feels like a love letter to the messy, chaotic world of 1950s filmmaking.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a weird one. It’s a sequel, but it came out nearly 20 years after the original movie, The Girl of Your Dreams (1998). If you haven't seen the first one, don't sweat it too much—director Fernando Trueba makes sure you can follow along, even if you miss some of the inside jokes among the aging cast.
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What Actually Happens in The Queen of Spain Movie?
The story picks up in 1956. Macarena Granada (Cruz) is now a massive star in the U.S., but she’s heading back to her homeland under the thumb of Francisco Franco’s dictatorship. She’s there to play Queen Isabella I in a massive American-Spanish co-production. It's a total "film-within-a-film" setup.
While the cameras are rolling on this epic historical biopic, the real drama is happening behind the scenes. Macarena’s old director and former flame, Blas Fontiveros (Antonio Resines), has secretly returned to Spain after surviving a Nazi concentration camp. Naturally, the regime finds him and tosses him into a labor camp.
The plot then turns into a sort of "heist" comedy. The cast and crew—this motley crew of artists and misfits—decide they have to break Blas out. They use the cover of the movie production to pull off a rescue mission right under the noses of the fascist authorities.
The Cast is Kinda Incredible
One of the biggest draws here isn’t just Cruz, though she’s obviously the anchor. She’s effortless as Macarena, shifting between "diva" and "vulnerable friend" in a heartbeat. But look at the supporting names:
- Mandy Patinkin: Plays a blacklisted American screenwriter (very McCarthy-era vibes).
- Cary Elwes: Plays Gary Jones, a Hollywood leading man who is, well, a bit much.
- Chino Darín: The love interest and a grip on set.
- Clive Revill: Plays the perpetually napping director, John Scott.
Having Mandy Patinkin and Cary Elwes together on screen again is a treat for anyone who grew up on The Princess Bride. It’s a subtle nod that movie buffs usually catch immediately.
Why the Critics Were So Divided
If you look up reviews, you’ll see the movie has a pretty low score on Rotten Tomatoes—around 30%. Why the hate?
Basically, the tone is all over the place. One minute it’s a slapstick comedy about a director who falls asleep during takes, and the next, it’s a somber reflection on the horrors of the Holocaust and the oppression of the Franco regime. It’s a "dramedy" in the truest sense, but sometimes those two halves fight each other.
Also, there’s a sub-plot involving a sexual assault that is played for laughs. It’s... uncomfortable. Modern audiences (and many critics back in 2016) found it totally out of touch and unnecessary to the plot. It’s one of those moments where the film shows its age or perhaps the director's blind spots.
The Production Design is Stunning
Whatever you think of the script, the movie looks gorgeous.
Cinematographer José Luis Alcaine (a frequent Almodóvar collaborator) captures the 1950s with this warm, golden glow. The costumes are spectacular. The movie actually snagged five Goya Award nominations in Spain, including Best Actress for Cruz and Best Art Direction. It didn’t win any, but the nominations were well-deserved for the visual craft alone.
What You Should Know Before Watching
If you’re planning to stream The Queen of Spain movie, here are a few things to keep in mind:
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- It’s long. Clocking in at over two hours, it takes its time. The first half is mostly setup and banter.
- Language. It’s a mix of Spanish and English. The American characters speak English, and the Spanish crew speaks Spanish. It feels authentic to how a co-production would actually work.
- The Context. Knowing a tiny bit about Spanish history helps. You don’t need a PhD, but understanding that 1950s Spain was a place of extreme censorship and fear makes the crew’s "rebellion" feel much more significant.
Real Actionable Insights for Fans
If you're diving into this world, here is how to get the most out of it:
- Watch the Prequel First (If You Can): The Girl of Your Dreams (La niña de tus ojos) is actually considered the better film by most critics. Seeing the characters when they were younger makes their reunion in The Queen of Spain hit much harder.
- Focus on the Metaphor: The movie is really about how art survives under tyranny. The "fake" movie they are filming is a sanitized version of history meant to please a dictator, but the "real" life of the actors is where the true rebellion happens.
- Check Out the Soundtrack: Zbigniew Preisner did the music. It’s lush and atmospheric, worth a listen even if you don't watch the film.
At the end of the day, The Queen of Spain movie is a flawed but fascinating look at the golden age of cinema. It’s a bit messy, sure. But for fans of Penélope Cruz or anyone interested in how movies are made, it’s a journey worth taking at least once.