MoPoshy
Absolutely brilliant
Brainsbell
The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.
Lucia Ayala
It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.
tsimshotsui
The film includes a brief intro to the actors/dancers playing the characters and some rehearsal scenes, and then we go to the show itself. The actors are amazing in this, especially Aída Gómez, who's an amazing dancer and can express Salome's thoughts and emotions flawlessly and passionately. The rest of the cast are also excellent. The production design is stunning, and perfect for the source material.
jotix100
Carlos Saura a man that has spent his career in the Spanish cinema has made great contributions to the song and dance form in many of his films. Some come to mind, "Carmen", "Tango", "Fados", and many others. It was with eager anticipation we decided to watch "Salome", his 2002 film we had never seen. Judging by the meager comments sent to this entry in the IMDb site, we figured it was never released commercially in the United States, or was only seen in limited venues, perhaps.The story of Salome, the biblical character, has been interpreted through time by painters that find a provocative subject in a young seductress whose erotic dancing led to the death of the prophet John, the Baptist. Salome, the daughter of Herodias, and the step daughter of king Herod Antipas, conspired with her mother into asking for the head of John, a wish that was granted.Carlos Saura takes us, first, into the preparation of the dance piece, whose production he is preparing. His alter ego is an actor impersonating the director. The cast is presented; they speak to the camera about their C.V. and what they have done up to that point. The composer of the composer and the costume designer make their point. The performance begins as the director calls for a dress rehearsal. The music is sensual and the style of dance we witness is a mixture of flamenco and middle eastern blend that plays well in the context of the narrative. The story unfolds easily as most of us are familiar with the legend that is being told in a dancing form. Aida Gomez plays Salome with panache. Her dancing is erotic, as well as her desires for the figure of John, a man that resists the temptations in front of him. Carmen Villena is Herodias, the mother of Salome, has some great moments with her expressive body that exudes slyness as well as lust. Paco Mora is seen as Herod in a performance that combines mime with dancing. Javier Toca appears as John, the Baptist.Tomatito and Roque Banos provided the music that is mysterious and tuneful at the same time. The film was lovingly photographed by Jose Luis Lopez-Linares, who has worked with Mr. Saura before, and Teo Delgado. Carlos Saura shows his genius for connecting the story he wanted to tell with some fantastic dancing.
gmutton
I loved this movie, and was sad when the 86 minutes were up.This is a spectacular blend of flamenco dance, theatre, cinema and documentary that makes you want to buy a copy of anything that displays the prowess of Aida Gomez as a consummate dancer and actress.The biblical story of Salome, John the Baptist and Herod's jealousy is well portrayed under the direction of Carlos Saura.The musical accompaniment is well controlled but made me ache for more.Visually splendid, as I love flamenco dancing and music. Emotionally exhausting as the drama unfolds.Now all I need now is for the DVD to become available in this part of the planet
jceballos
I am always amazed by Saura's ability in catching the essence of things and doubly (triply) stress them: a) as beauty (images, color, music: Bodas de Sangre, Carmen, El Amor Brujo, Salomé, Goya); b) as metaphors (Ana y los Lobos, for instance); c) as a concerned view of social problems and facts (Ana y los Lobos; El Dorado; Mamá cumple 100 años; Goya; Tango...). He has the impressive quality of presenting, at the same time, deep political and sociological analysis, illuminated overviews of Spanish culture (don't forget this!), additionally being able to show them in the highest terms of aesthetics... Spanish culture is one of the richest in Europe and the world. Through the perception of his own cultural heritage, Saura contributes brilliantly to make it universal. My family is of Spanish origin. Saura has made evident to me many roots of Latin American history and culture ("where am I?"; "where do I come from?"... "WHAT am I?").
