In this modern day Spanish retelling of 'The Wizard of Oz' Dora is a teenage girl who lives with her father. One day she decides to find her mother. She sets off with her dog, Toto, and soon finds her grandmother and great aunt. The meeting doesn't go well and she ends up on the run, accused of murder! She is still determined to find her mother; along the way she meets a man chained up in a junkyard, a suicidal older gentleman and a gay man; clearly standing in for the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion respectively. As they travel they face various dangers and Dora learns more about her family.
I thought this film was a lot of fun. While it plays with the themes and characters of 'The Wizard of Oz' it never really feels as though it is trying to be a remake and most of the more fantastical elements are removed. Dora Postigo is a delight as Dora; our fire-engine red haired Dorothy. The rest of the cast are sold too; I especially liked Carmen Maura as Coco Cabrera; Dora's wealthy great aunt who is clearly modelled on the Wicked Witch of the West. The film looks great with vibrant colours and a somewhat trippy feel. It also uses music really well without being a musical. At times it may have got a little messy and could probably have done with being a little shorter but I'm still really glad I chose to watch it. I'd certainly recommend giving it a go.
These comments are based on watching the film in Spanish with English subtitles.
I thought this film was a lot of fun. While it plays with the themes and characters of 'The Wizard of Oz' it never really feels as though it is trying to be a remake and most of the more fantastical elements are removed. Dora Postigo is a delight as Dora; our fire-engine red haired Dorothy. The rest of the cast are sold too; I especially liked Carmen Maura as Coco Cabrera; Dora's wealthy great aunt who is clearly modelled on the Wicked Witch of the West. The film looks great with vibrant colours and a somewhat trippy feel. It also uses music really well without being a musical. At times it may have got a little messy and could probably have done with being a little shorter but I'm still really glad I chose to watch it. I'd certainly recommend giving it a go.
These comments are based on watching the film in Spanish with English subtitles.