The Happiest Girl in the World

In brief:
Very slow-moving look at a day in the life of a contest winner (and her parents) while shooting a commercial. Lots of in jokes about film-making. A few chuckles.

Ramblings:
Everybody knows that film-making is a lot of hurry-up and wait but this was just a lot of waiting. Lots of stereotypical members of the crew. Plot seemed to be made up as they went along. Some scenes came out of left field. Some scenes were completely unnecessary.

You never got the idea that anything was going on at the shoot while we were being taken off to another part of the forest for more exposition of the family dynamics — or long takes of someone doing nothing.

Although there were a few chuckles of recognition about film shoot happenings and mishaps, there was not enough engagement with any of the characters to really care what would happen next.

The Young Victoria

In brief:
Lots of pomp and pompousness in the court of Queen Victoria. There wasn't much plot but it was fun to watch.

Ramblings:
Emily Blunt as Queen Victoria is quite beautiful and so is Rupert Friend as Prince Albert. They make a lovely couple.

It's fun to watch the shenanigans in court although it's hard to believe Victoria was as naive as she's made out to be — but Sarah Ferguson was one of the producers.

Since it's history, we know they'll get together eventually so there's no suspense there.

Nice to hear that after he died, she still had his clothes laid out every day. Perhaps there will be a sequel to tell the story in between.

Broken Embraces

In brief:
Unnecessarily complicated plot and sub-standard acting by most of the cast. Not very satisfying. Almodavar could have (and has) done better.

Ramblings:
Ho-hum love affair between Penelope Cruz and two men. The only one who generated any interest on the screen was Bianca Portillo who said more when she wasn't speaking than the other three did when they read their lines.

The plot meanders all over the place and by the time we come to the end of the movie, when all the loose ends have to be tied up in neat little bows, it all seems quite rushed. Perhaps some of the side-plots, explanations, and superfluous scenes could have been omitted.