Good story, Not enough for a whole film

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

This is a coming of age storyline that you've seen in one form or another for decades. It takes a truly unique voice to make yet another one worth watching.

THE TIME OF HAPPINESS, the official and literal English translation of the original title sums up the film perfectly. This is a light, family-oriented (in the Spanish sense) dramatic comedy with a predictable cast of characters. Of real curiosity value is the cast. The parents are played by two of Spain's best adult actors (even back then), but the children and their friends are played by young actors who have recently blossomed into Spain's biggest stars: Fele Martinez (ABRE LOS OJOS, AMANTES DEL CIRCULO POLAR), Liberto Rabal (the male "Live Flesh" in CARNE TREMULA), Pepon Nieto, and Carlos Fuentes.