A Matador's Mistress

Original title: Manolete

IMDb RATING

5.6/10

3.3K

YOUR RATING

Adrien Brody and Penélope Cruz in A Matador's Mistress (2008)

The film starts in the trip from Sevilla to Linares, where Manolete stops in Córdoba to see his mother. He will be remembering some passages of his life.

Play trailer1:21

1 Video

21 Photos

Biography Drama Romance

The film starts in the trip from Sevilla to Linares, where Manolete stops in Córdoba to see his mother. He will be remembering some passages of his life.The film starts in the trip from Sevilla to Linares, where Manolete stops in Córdoba to see his mother. He will be remembering some passages of his life.The film starts in the trip from Sevilla to Linares, where Manolete stops in Córdoba to see his mother. He will be remembering some passages of his life.

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

5.6/10

3.3K

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 1 nomination

Trivia
In Iberia in the era of this film it was common to display your wealth by having at least one prominent gold tooth - this is still usual in the African continent - and is for show, having nothing to do with a dental repair. Lupe Sino is depicted as enjoying the company of men, is frequently called a "whore" by Manolete's entourage (who disapprove of the relationship because they fear for their own status), and has a basket-crown on her upper left incisor - this is not the habit of a "respectable" woman in 1940s Spain. When she has it removed she shows Manolete by tapping her front tooth and saying "Look, respectable" and there is a huge close-up of her front teeth. Also, during the course of the film her wardrobe and hair-style become gradually less gaudy - her way of showing Manolete that she is willing to settle down and become a "respectable" woman he can marry.

Goofs
During the final bull fight, Brody has blood on his cheek, then the blood disappears and then comes back again.

Quotes
Pepe Camará: You have to be a little bit in love with death.

Connections
Referenced in Special Collector's Edition: Christine (2013)

User reviews20

Review

Featured review

4/10

Disappointing

Pretty disappointing. I came in knowing nothing of bullfighting or the life of Manolete and I left knowing a little more of Manolete and no more about bullfighting.

The film was slow and uncertain about its focus. Brody and Cruz who I think are exceptional actors in other works are flat and have zero chemistry. Brody in particular made the protagonist quite unlikeable and difficult to root for. It's beautifully shot but feels like it's missing crucial parts. It did succeed in peaking my interest though, the seeds of a fascinating world and a fascinating relationship were sown and I bought a book about Manolete.