esteban1747 Intrigues, love and sex with the Duchess, jealousy from the queen, and finally the Duchess killed, but who killed her? Bigas Luna was able to ensemble a plot, which starts with few dialogs, good photographs, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón (The Duchess) and Penélope Cruz showing something of their charms, one Jorge Perugorría (Goya painter) talking or whispering, probably making an effort to avoid his Cuban accent, Jordi Mollà as a lover and powerful minister, and Stefania Sandrelli, no matter how old she is, as a queen, and also a lover. The excitement really starts after mid film, and more than a drama it becomes a good thriller. Therefore do not miss anything from the first part of the film if you want to understand what really is going on. Moreover the film indicates how the famous paint of Goya "La Maja Desnuda" was done and what source the painter used. Certainly it was not the Duchess' body but the one of a nice gypsy lady, Pepita Tudó (Penélope Cruz), very "maja" by the way, we would say in Spanish.

garp_emiliano It's a deception: maybe the worst (with "Bambola") of director Luna: solemn and inaccurated, the ever greater Aitana Sánchez Gijón was booh-ed receiving her award at San Sebastian Festival, 'cause the spaniard critics really went angry on that film. Almost located entirely on dark locations (except the first scene: a bizarre catholic procession in supposed Cádiz fields) is a really boring film about the mistery of Duquesa de Alba's death. The casting election of good cuban actor Perugorría (also in "Bambola") is possibly the only daring and interesting aspect of the film, being really a strange voice for "Pancho" (as called by Cayetana) Goya... who only paints "La Maja" on film. Jordi Mollá as powerful "Prince of Peace" Godoy is clearly undeveloped here, while Penélope Cruz shows limitated as always. Last point: the generous sexual scenes, as expected on Luna, includes a fetichist one on beautiful Aitana's feet.

videolionvideo Juan Jose Bigas Luna is best known in the U.S. for Jamon,Jamon.....a sexy film which gave Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem international acclaim.Now we have this uniquely restrained film for the director,a lavish costume drama full of passion and intrigue.Featuring many actors from his previous films it centers around the mystery of the real model for Goya's The Naked Maya and the death of the Duchess of Alba.This is more a woman's film as they are the stronger more defined characters... Penelope Cruz is electric and Aitana Sanchez Gijon (Former president of the actors guild)has never been sharper or more powerful.The sparks between the two actresses especially during a Paso Doble,duel of wills jumps off the screen.This film has yet to find American distribution but has played the festival circuit.

ElianaM This historical epic, a rarity for quirky Catalonian director Bigas Luna (JAMON, JAMON, GOLDEN BALLS), is quite an achievement. One which has been undeservedly maligned by many. Aitana Sanchez Gijon has been praised for her performance as the Duchess of Alba, having won the Best Actress award at the 1999 San Sebastian Film Festival. The rest of the stellar cast: Penelope Cruz, Jordi Moya', and Jorge Perugorria (as Goya) are at least adequate, and the art direction, and look of the movie are both breathtaking.