TV production industry

Sex and Lucia (Lucía y el Sexo)
Made in: Spain
Language: Spanish

Synopsis: Lucía (Paz Vega) is a free-spirited waitress who’s trying to get over a bad breakup with her boyfriend Lorenzo (Tristán Ulloa), who’s a writer. When she hears that Lorenzo’s been in a car accident, she assumes he’s been killed.

Devastated, Lucía takes a trip to the remote island off the Spanish mainland where she and Lorenzo used to go. While coming to terms with her loss and life, she meets Elena (Najwa Nimri), who runs a lodging house for visitors (kind of like a bed & breakfast).

The story then takes us back six years prior, and we learn about the intertwined histories of Lucía, Lorenzo, and Elena, and the emotional entanglements that result. And while working on his latest novel, Lorenzo discovers that he’s the father of an illegitimate child.

As he later becomes intrigued with the child’s alluring nanny, Belén (Elena Anaya), Lorenzo’s real-life complications find themselves into his work and we’re treated to a complicated and often confusing tale of sex, romance, love triangles, jealousy…and cooking.

Remarks: At its core, Sex and Lucia is actually a pretty intriguing story with the blending of time, characters’ lives, fiction, and reality done in very creative ways. As it was with Lovers of the Arctic Circle (Los Amantes del Círculo Polar), Julio Medem once again makes a compelling drama about seriously dysfunctional people.

The coincidental, and seemingly impossible connections between characters, made me think of David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive at times. But as confusing as it is, this mobius strip of a film somehow logically works itself out in the end. From a technical standpoint, the cinematography is great and the bright, stylized way that many of the exteriors are filmed give the film a lot of character.

However, the overall narrative of Sex and Lucia doesn’t quite live up to its juicy title. Sure, there is plenty of sex in the first half of the movie, but once the plot starts thickening the tone changes so much that you might wonder if you’re still watching the same film. And once that happens, the sex scenes from before start feeling out of place.

Don’t get me wrong. As a guy, I have no problem with seeing Paz Vega and Elena Anaya in the buff. But after I (eventually) discovered that this story was indeed a deep psychological drama (as opposed to a porno disguised as art), I think this film could have worked fine without the gratuitous nudity and shameless boob shots.

Furthermore, Paz Vega’s character Lucía is not as central to the entire story as we’re led to believe, so I’m not sure the title is all that accurate. And if I’m not mistaken, the slinky red dress that Vega wears on the Sex and Lucia movie poster (and DVD cover) isn’t actually seen in the film.

Who would like this movie: You’ll like the first half of Sex and Lucia if you’re the type who’s too embarrassed to rent porn from your local video store because you’re worried that the sales clerk or other customers in line will think you’re some kind of pervert.

But when the actual story kicks in, this movie should appeal to fans of foreign films and those who appreciate complex, psychological narratives. But the contrast between the first and second halves are jarring, and will most likely color your overall expectations/impressions of the film.

(2 and 1/2 out of 4 stars)

Director: Julio Medem
Starring: Paz Vega, Tristán Ulloa, Najwa Nimri, Daniel Freire, Elena Anaya
Year: 2001

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Pizza! The Movie was an ambitious project to begin with. On the surface making pizza seems simple enough. alright, you make dough with water, yeast, salt and maybe add some olive oil. Stretch out the dough, throw on a little olive oil, some tomatoes, some cheese and pepperoni or whatever. It’s easy. Right?

Not so to anyone who has made pizza from the heart, and certainly not for someone who makes a movie with heart about pizza. Pizza! The Movie will not be all things to all people. The film does not pretend to be. There will be pizza fans who are disappointed. After all fimmaker Michael Dorian had to narrow his focus.

Dorian has done an excellent job of hitting all of the high spots of pizza. He tackles New York Pizza, Neapolitan pizza and Pepe’s pizza. He discusses Chicago Deep Dish pizza. He uncovers the Chicago Deep Dish controversy. He travels the country from end to end searching out snippets and facts about the pizza culture.He interviews Peter Reinhart of American Pie, he talks to Chris Bianco, of Pizzeria Bianco, I even noticed Gary Bimonte of Pepe’s comparing good pizza to a home-run.

He touches on Pizza Delivery Drivers, featuring a clip from another movie about Pizza Delivery Drivers. He talks to pizza fans of all ethnic flavors and tastes. Dorian left no pizza box unopened or pizza pie untasted.

He uncovers several myths and tales about pizza. One of the brightest moments of the film is an uncensored interview with Ed LaDou, the inventor of California pizza. LaDou was the unsung creator of Wolfgang Puck’s Pizza as well as the creator of the menu for California Pizza Kitchen. Ed LaDou is truly one the Legends of Pizza. Both Puck and the owners of CPK, understandably, declined to be interviewed for this film.

Dorian, however, needed a focus, to pull the movie together. The stage is set, the lights are dimmed. Enter Tony Gemignani, five time World Champion Pizza Thrower, owner of Pyzano’s of California and head of the U.S. Pizza Team. Tony’s struggles are chronicled as he faces a major dispute in a Pizza Tossing Championship. The drama unfolds as the two major pizza magazines of the pizza industry (PMQ and Pizza Today) are pitted against one another.

We follow Tony and his new team The World Pizza Champions to Italy to compete against other countries in Pizza Tossing, dough stretching and other pizza realted events. Tony shows his passion and emotions for all things pizza.

This is a must see film for anyone who ever enjoyed a pizza. This film captures the taste and essence of pizza right up to the end. The use of Joe Dolce’s incredible anthem “Pizza, Pizza”, for the closing credits, is a clever addition.

My only complaint: Dorian should rename the film Pizza! The Movie, Volume Number 1

I am sure there is enough material left on the cutting room floor for several other Pizza! The Movies, Volumes 2,3,4 and 5! I can’t wait. Pizza on Earth…