The Age of Commercialism

Don't listen to the negative reviews

Tells a fascinating and unsettling true story, and does so well, without pretending to have all the answers.

There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

I found this movie surfing channels late at night. It is in Spanish with English subtitles. The language can be "raw", if you understand Spanish. The movie is funny as it traces the complex relationships between the characters. Don't expect a "problem" you have to figure out or a mystery to resolve, this is mostly a comic spectator view of life.It is funny without silly stuff. Character are a little "one sided". You get hooked on finding out what happens next, like a good rumor around a neighborhood. It presents a good contrast between small town values and modern/young Spain. Editing is poor, the scenes jump around a lot with no particular rhythm. It is also hard to keep track of time, sometimes on a change a day has gone by, sometimes weeks, sometimes longer, so you have to pay attention to the conversations or you get lost in time.Fun to watch.

This film was shown on Encore the other night, proving, that American audiences could benefit from foreign movies such as this one. In fact, it was quite a surprise to see a film that, obviously, hasn't been released commercially in this country. Spanish films, other than the ones from Almodovar, have no market in here.Maribel, a young woman living in a small town in Catalonia, has no opportunities to speak of. She is having an affair with a married dentist who never satisfies her. His father in law, Nestor, a widower, who has a bakery in town, is given a satellite dish by his daughter and the dentist to keep himself entertained. This is how Nestor, the baker, discovers porn movies. When Maribel's mother suggests to Nestor he hires her daughter to help him in the shop, he accepts. Maribel, who is an beautiful woman, becomes the object of Nestor's attention. Maribel is horrified, she wants no part of the older man.Maribel visits her sister one weekend in Barcelona. Angela, works as a dominatrix in a high class place. She gives the sister a tour and tells her about how much money she is making and about her new boyfriend, Benito, a man in charge of a collection agency. The agents that are engaged to collect bills that are due, are made to dress as bunnies. Maribel passes Manolo, one of the agents, who is wearing his bunny costume. It turns out Manolo works for Benito and Maribel feels attracted to him. Angela suggests why doesn't she marry Nestor and that way she'll inherit all his money. Maribel, wants no part of it.Eventually, Maribel consents to marry the older man. Manolo, comes to the town in order to be next to his lover, who eventually is made a widow. But here's where things go wrong for the lovers. Maribel wants adventure and fun. She wants to be free while Manolo only wants to be rich working in the bakery, where he has worked ever since Nestor's death.Ramon de Espana gives the comedy a quick pace that works well. The language is frank and viewers should be warned to expect a lot of obscenities. Not much is left to the imagination as everything is played for laughs. Ingrid Rubio makes a great Maribel. She is the best thing in the film. Alberto San Juan is also effective as Manolo. Emilio Gutierrez Caba, a veteran of Spanish films plays the older man Nestor."Kill me Tender" its English language title, will surprise fans of Spanish films.

I zapped through my TV program and found this little gem in the middle of the night with subtitles, and this movie is more than nice!! In the end i gave it a 7. Like the most of the European movies it lacks certain elements of action, but the story is nonetheless surprisingly new, somehow. Alone the end of the movie is so great, that it is worth watching! Manolos "rabbit" job is also more than comical, and for some people it might be a good idea for their own business. It is hard to get the whole movie to one point, but "nice story" would fit it the most.For all friends of everlasting tense and action this movie isn't worth , but the people who want a nice story with some lows in the whole, then watch it!!

I had the sublime pleasure of seeing "Kill Me Tender" at the 2003 AFI Film Festival at Arclight Hollywood in Los Angeles. Hilarious, tender, sexy...absolutely unforgettable. I fell in love with Ingrid Rubino instantly...she just melted right off the screen and into my heart. I adored it so much...I saw the second screening the next night. After only seeing it twice, I regard it as one of my favorite films of all time. Ramon de Espana is exploding with talent. I'm holding my breath for his next film. The problem is...I have no idea how to see "Kill Me Tender" again! Will it ever be released in the United States!? I'm SHOCKED that someone hasn't scooped it up for distribution. If anyone knows of this brilliant film's fate...e-mail me!