Plot Details: This opinion reveals major details about the movie's plot.

Carmen is the first, and to me the best of Spanish director Carlos Saura's dance trilogy, which includes the sequels Blood Wedding and El Amor Brujo.

Antonio (Antonio Gades), director and principal dancer of a large dance company, leads his troupe through rehearsals of an innovative flamenco take off of Bizet's opera, Carmen. Uninspired by the female dancers already in his company, he searches the dance academies for a suitable Carmen and finds the mysterious, seductive, manipulative and strikingly beautiful Laura del Sol, whose character happens to be named Carmen.

As rehearsals continue, life imitates art as Antonio and Carmen begin to live the jealous, one-sided and ultimately doomed love affair that is central to Bizet's opera. Carmen starts out as a clumsy amateur (it's amazing to watch del Sol acting as if she can't dance), seemingly easy prey for Antonio's advances. But, as she develops as a dancer, she also easily takes the upper hand in their relationship.

From beginning to end, the film artfully blends Bizet's score with traditional Spanish music lead by flamenco/jazz guitarist Paco de Luzia. The "production numbers" are fantastic, especially the early scene in the tobacco factory and the hilarious parody of the toreador song. Gades and del Sol also dance an erotically charged take on "L'amour est une enfante bohemme." One scene, in which a large group of dancers simply practices is so intense that it leaves the audience gasping for breath.

If dance is in your blood, this film is a must see.





Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older