Golden Balls [1994] [DVD]

Although a follow up to it, Golden Balls is not really in the same league as Jamon Jamon. Nor is it a sequel of that film, more a sequel of the depiction of the Gonzalez character, and a continuation of Bigas' derisive look at Spanish machismo, and how ultimately it brings unhappiness and destroys lives. There are moments of humour, but this is a much more serious and darker film.

Benito Gonzalez (Bardem) wants to construct the biggest building in Spain. The building of his dreams goes up, much like his erections, and crumbles, much like his own rise and fall. On his route to the top, he thinks nothing of those he uses to get there and the wanton destruction he causes.

Bigas Luna is to Spain what Tinto Brass is to Italy and Russ Meyer is to America. This film features flying eggs, a Dali inspired scene of a woman's genitalia swarming with insects, Bardem doing karaoke to Julio Iglesias, and lots of hot, sultry sex.

I think it's worth seeing, but Jamon Jamon is a much better film.

We found 'Golden Balls' educational rather than entertaining, cautionary rather than exciting and excitement was our intention when we bought the item. Still, you often get more than you bargain for and I am sure we will feel the benefit in years to come.
Would a gay man enjoy this film? Maybe partially, but the themes are not light-hearted. One for the serious film enthusiasts, I suggest.

So, announces the DVD. But, this was a disappointing film. Not particularly bad but definitely not that good. Rather more crude and MTV video-like than the more subtle and masterful Jamon Jamon.

None of the characters are likeable, the lovely Penelope Cruz of Bigas Luna's first film replaced by vacuous supermodels (in comparison, maybe they are great actresses) and it all reads like a tawdry and cheap paperback that you'd pick up at motorway service station.

Which, maybe is how Luna wanted it. Maybe he really is that repelled by the capitalist, noveau-riche alpha male who believes his 'balls' not only rule his life but everybody else's, too. I know I am, and most people would be, too. Asked why Javier Bardem's lead character is sporting two gold Rolex's, he announces back "I have two balls, so I have two Rolex's".

Artistically there is little merit to this film, but it is about overblown, over-macho stereotypes and how they think they can walk over everybody. There are nods to Dali (the nude with ants over her pubic region is an extreme example) and there are more phallic insinuations in Goldenballs than any other film I know of. From Gonzalez (Bardem) Towers, intended to be the tallest tower on the Med, in which Luna loosely stretches a fabric of some kind of story around, with his dodgy dealings and cost-cutting.

Like, possibly his Tower, Gonzalez, and his potent sexual erections, does come a cropper, which is of some redemption, admittedly, but not enough to save the film. There's an early role for Benecio del Torro as the Miami-set gardener who happens to do more than service the sprinkler....

What finally made me only award two stars was the poor DVD quality. It's of video standard, plain and simple.

I bought Goldenballs as I wanted the three films in Luna's 'Iberian passion' trilogy, of which it is the middle. I'm seriously hoping that the final part, 'The Tit and the Moon' is an improvement.