Belle Époque

Fernando is a young soldier who deserts and finds shelter at a country house belonging to Manolo, a painter who lives in seclusion because of his political views. The time is 1931, as Spain moves from dictatorship toward republic. Manolo's four daughters arrive from Madrid for their summer stay, and Fernando's presence turns the household upside down. He becomes involved with all four sisters in turn while struggling to work out which of them he actually loves, and their father watches the situation develop with mounting concern.

Fernando Trueba directed the film, working from a screenplay by Rafael Azcona. It followed Trueba's Year of Enlightment and came before Two Much, Chico & Rita, The Queen of Spain and later titles. Jorge Sanz plays Fernando, with Maribel Verdú, Ariadna Gil, Miriam Díaz-Aroca and Penélope Cruz as Rocío, Violeta, Clara and Luz, and Fernando Fernán Gómez as Manolo. Thirty performers are credited.

Released in December 1992, the Spanish, Portuguese and French co-production runs 109 minutes. The critics' rating of 7.3/10 from 21 reviews sits above the audience scores of 7.1/10 on IMDb from around 12,000 votes and 6.7/10 on TMDB from roughly 214 votes, suggesting a film that reviewers rated somewhat more highly than general viewers did.