Princesas (Princesses) (2005)

74% of critics liked it
(31 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(14,161 ratings)

A middle-class prostitute strikes up an unlikely friendship with an immigrant streetwalker from the Dominican Republic in director Fernando León de Aranoa's compassionate, humanistic drama. Caye comes from a middle-class background, and her parents remain blissfully unaware of the means by which… More A middle-class prostitute strikes up an unlikely friendship with an immigrant streetwalker from the Dominican Republic in director Fernando León de Aranoa's compassionate, humanistic drama. Caye comes from a middle-class background, and her parents remain blissfully unaware of the means by which their daughter earns her keep. While many of Caye's days are spent hanging out with her fellow prostitutes cursing the rapid proliferation of cheaper immigrant prostitutes on the city streets, a chance encounter with Zule, who is just such a woman, soon prompts Caye to reevaluate her standards. A dedicated mother who walks the streets in order to send money to her son back home, Zule is taken to the hospital by Caye after being badly beaten and left for dead. Now, as a warm bond begins to develop between the two women whose dreams of financial stability and kind companionship help to ease the pain of familial separation, the resulting discovery of self-determination leads Caye and Zule on a journey of self-discovery that will leave both women forever changed. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 54 min.
Directed By: Fernando León de Aranoa
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Aug 23, 2005 Wide
On DVD: Mar 27, 2007
Studio: IFC First Take

Critic Reviews

Michael Booth, Denver Post
Aranoa sketches a melancholy based on accurate human observation.
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter
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.
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times
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.
Jonathan Holland, Variety
Fernando Leon de Aranoa confirms his Loach-like ability to convert marginalized subjects into socially committed cinema.
John Anderson, Newsday
In Princesas, [writer-director Fernando León de Aranoa] leaves too many loose ends hanging about, but his sentiments are noble.
Jack Mathews, New York Daily News
Women become prostitutes for different reasons, and the reasons driving the main characters in Spanish writer-director Fernando León de Aranoa's earnest tale of friendship couldn't be more different.
Cath Clarke, Guardian [UK]
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.
Kevin Maher, Times [UK]
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.
Holly Grigg-Spall, Film4
Princesas is heartwarming and sporadically surprising, bolstered by beautifully measured performances.
Nick Funnell, Time Out
Compelling, frequently funny and, commendably, resists wrapping things up sentimentally. Nice Manu Chao soundtrack, too.
Matthew Turner, ViewLondon
Impressively directed, emotionally engaging drama with terrific performances from Candela Pena and newcomer Micaela Nevárez.
Stella Papamichael, BBC
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.
MaryAnn Johanson, Flick Filosopher
This slice-of-life drama brooks no sentiment and spares us none of the tedium and terror of life on the street...
Kam Williams, NewsBlaze
The most engaging presentation from the perspective of an exploited, female underclass since the equally-evocative Maria, Full of Grace.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
Slow moving but generally interesting...
David Noh, Film Journal International
One of the very best films ever made about that most enduring of professions, prostitution.
Kam Williams, Upstage Magazine
The most engaging presentation from the perspective of an exploited, female underclass since the equally-evocative Maria, Full of Grace.
Enrique Buchichio, Uruguay Total
Una película entrañable y conmovedora sobre la amistad y la solidaridad entre dos mujeres, con dos estupendas actrices.
, Los Angeles Daily News
Princesas rehearses 'hooker with a heart of gold' tropes and indulges Almodóvarian clichés of Spanish spunk and solidarity.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

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Featured Audience Ratings

Nicki M

Good movie. Fairly realistic, (or appeared to be), portrayal of prostitution. I liked the ending and the sense of hope for the main character instead of the usual, wound up dead or may as well be. The other lead character did not fare quite as well, but that's where the realism… More
Good movie. Fairly realistic, (or appeared to be), portrayal of prostitution. I liked the ending and the sense of hope for the main character instead of the usual, wound up dead or may as well be. The other lead character did not fare quite as well, but that's where the realism comes into it, and at least it wasn't all bleak for her. (Not that I mind bleak as that is how things are, but this was a refreshing change).
Gordon A

Mixes styles with reasonable success and Pena gives a believable nuanced performance but some of her flights of fancy are a little contrived.
Dean M

A quite good moving and sobering tale of two young prostitutes in Madrid. Powerful and poignant. And bloody hot of Spanish prostitutes.
Steve S

Boring! But well made if you want to know about the trials and tribulations of Spanish hookers.
Daisy M

This is a very well written movie based on reality. Actor's performances are great. I like the movie because is a drama of an immigrant whom driven by the bad economic situation of her country, was forced to leave the homeland and work as a prostitute in Madrid Spain. She was… More
This is a very well written movie based on reality. Actor's performances are great. I like the movie because is a drama of an immigrant whom driven by the bad economic situation of her country, was forced to leave the homeland and work as a prostitute in Madrid Spain. She was promised for a visa to stay legally in the country, but they just used her. She met Caye who is just a prostitute too They understand each other and they create a true friendship until Zulema has to leave the country because her HIV results came back positive. A very human story that is worth to see it.
John M

An interesting drama that portrait the lives of immigrant women who are forced by the bad economic situation of their respective countries, to leave their homeland and work as a prostitutes in Madrid, Spain. Great acting, script, as well as, the music and editing.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

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Princesas (Princesses) (2005)

Critic Reviews

Featured Audience Ratings

Nicki M

Gordon A

Dean M

Steve S

Daisy M

John M

Cast

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