This is an adult fairy tale that suggests repressed sexual desires. Spanish filmmakers seem to understand something their Portuguese counterparts don’t: how to create movies that are enjoyable, entertaining, commercially successful, and still artistically beautiful and well-crafted. This film isn't among the best, nor has it aged particularly well; I wouldn’t have even known about it if not for stumbling across it online. The presence of familiar actors initially drew me in, and I was pleasantly surprised to find out that filming took place in Portugal—a detail I noticed from a train locomotive I recognized. The script is strong, blending lighthearted comedy with the story of a soldier who deserts and finds himself among a very progressive family for the time period, which is the 1930s. The setting is Spain during a politically turbulent time: the unpopular monarchy faces increasing opposition as people look to socialism and republicanism. This backdrop includes events like the military uprising in Jaca. After its failure, Fernando, one of the rebel soldiers, flees and ends up in a rural area where he meets Manolo, an elderly, progressive, but lonely republican whose four daughters have all moved out. When Fernando arrives, he refuses to leave, captivated by their beauty: Clara is recently widowed; Violet is a lesbian; Rocío is dating a local boy who’s wealthy, unintelligent, and supports Carlist ideologies; and Luz is the most innocent of them all. What follows is a series of encounters between the old man's daughters and the deserter. He essentially sleeps with each of them, falling for each one in turn—a situation that’s both comical and absurd, and even feels out of place given the strict morality of the Iberian countryside at that time, where courtship was more public and closely supervised by families. This is what bothered me most: the characters' behavior seems to reflect modern sexual attitudes rather than accurately portraying the 1930s. The acting is generally good; Jorge Sanz portrays a gentle protagonist, but his performance feels somewhat subdued compared to the strong performances from the actresses. Penélope Cruz and Maribel Verdú stand out as exceptional, completely dominating their scenes with funny and well-executed portrayals. Ariadna Gil also does a commendable job despite limited screen time. Miriam Diaz-Aroca’s role is fairly unremarkable, while Fernando Fernán Gomez delivers a solid performance in a poorly developed character. Filmed in Portugal, the movie has an elegant feel, and the cinematography effectively creates a dreamlike quality, highlighting rural beauty and nature. The sets and costumes are well done, convincingly transporting viewers back to the 1930s. The soundtrack is also good, although it lacks any truly memorable musical pieces.

Source on TMDB