Reinas (Queens) (2005)

Critic Reviews

• Wesley Morris, Boston Globe

  It feels like [Pereira] just plucked the men themselves from atop a wedding cake and stuck them in his movie, where for the most part they stand decoratively around and watch the women make suds from all this soap.

• G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle

  With what amounts to 20 characters crossing paths, Pereira's job description might seem more traffic cop than director, but he rises to the challenge and adds style and splashy color to boot.

• Teresa Budasi, Chicago Sun-Times

  Spanish director Manuel Gomez Pereira certainly draws inspiration from his compatriot Pedro Almodovar -- several of the actresses are even Pedro alums -- but the film falls short of Almodovar's usual depth and complexity.

• Jessica Reaves, Chicago Tribune

  Unfortunately for director and co-writer Manuel Gomez Pereira, all the energy in the world isn't enough to compensate for the superfluous plot lines and outrageous overacting that weigh down this bit of warm-hearted Spanish fluff.

• Eleanor Ringel Gillespie, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

  We may be deep in Telemundo territory, but that doesn't diminish the glow-in-the-dark charisma of these impressive ladies.

• Ann Hornaday, Washington Post

  Pereira goes in for lots of time shifts and split screens, piling on the contrivances like so many costume baubles when a single string of pearls would do.

• David Noh, Film Journal International

  While straining credibility at times, offers some appealing scenes of quiet reflection, as well as a refreshing celebration of the ineffable allure and power of being middle-aged.

• Rene Rodriguez, Miami Herald

  The star-heavy cast, which includes such big Spanish names as Carmen Maura, Marisa Paredes and Veronica Forque, are a treat to watch even when their dialogue isn't all it could be.

• Laura Kelly, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

  Pedro Almodovar-flavored but quite tame.

• John Hartl, Seattle Times

  The frantic artificiality of the script rarely allows the characters to breathe. This is dinner-theater farce, featherweight and juiceless.

• Bill White, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

  The cast is perfect, but the script is like a low ceiling, keeping a lid on what should have been a confluence of riotous misadventures.

• Jean Lowerison, San Diego Metropolitan

  Manuel Gómez Pereira's frantic direction is nonstop and the exhaustion of excess will get to you.

• Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide

  For all its contrivances, the film is cheerfully rude and surprisingly generous to the mothers, most of whom find sizzling new romances at an age when their American counterparts are reduced to sexless dithering or played as humiliating punch lines.

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