The Ugliest Woman in the World (1999)

2010 , in the Spanish Federal Republic , Lola is a little girl who was left in an orphanage ruled by nuns because she was "the ugliest woman in the world" ; many years later , a professor of university and plastic surgeon (Héctor Alterio) undergoes a surgical operation at the operating theatre , she then becomes "the most beautiful woman in the world" . Lola Otero (Elia Galera) takes part at Miss Spain contest , as Miss Cantabria , and she begins to kill all the former Miss Spain . Meanwhile , Police lieutenant Arribas (Roberto Alvarez) and his motley brigade of Inspectors (Javivi ,Enrique Villén , Guillermo Toledo , David Pinilla , Pablo Pinedo) start investigating the weird murders committed by "The Ugliest Woman in the World" angry with the beauty .This interesting film packs colorful images , thrills , suspense , twists and turns . This is a thriller but also contains some touches of humor and irony , especially at the role performed by Javivi as a stuttering police . The film title ¨La Mujer Más Fea Del Mundo¨ or "The Ugliest Woman in the World" results to be a nemesis title to ¨La Mujer Mas Bella Del Mundo¨ , a picture (1955) starred by Gina Lollobrigida and Vittorio Gassman . The film deals with an ugly girl who thanks to a surgeon becomes into a gorgeous woman and subsequently seeks vengeance against his previous unfair people . There takes place a cat-and-mouse game between the beautiful Lola Otero and an intelligent police inspector well played by Roberto Alvarez who bears a dark secret ; it is full of plot twists and extraordinary surprises . The twisted story is carried out in similar style to other films realized by offbeat director Alex De La Iglesia . It is developed in some flashbacks from her childhood , killing spree , until the final big spectacle when happens the breathtaking as well as brilliant Miss Spain contest . Very good support cast , plenty of familiar faces such as Héctor Alterio , Alberto San Juan , Javier Albala , Enrique Villen , Guillermo Toledo , David Pinilla , Pablo Pinedo , Anabel Alonso , Maria Isbert , Javier Gurruchaga , Manuel Manquiña , Manuel Moron , Inma Del Moral , Francisco Maestre , Javier Albala , Saturnino García and many others .Atmospheric and thrilling musical score by Juam Bardem (Proximo Oriente , Al Sur Granada , Incautos , Coraje) . Including a spotless pictorial cinematography by Nestor Calvo (Atomica , Lobo , Nos Miran , Lobos De Washington , Años Barbaros , Miguel and William) , showing splendidly a future though nearby Spanish world , he photographs almost perfectly the elements of each shot , every sequence, every space . The motion picture was well directed by Miguel Bardem who belongs a notorious actors family , as is son of director Juan Antonio Bardem , aunt is Pilar Bardem ,cousin of Carlos Bardem , Mónica Bardem and Javier Bardem. He has directed some entertaining films as comedy such as ¨Twelfth night¨ or ¨Noche De Reyes¨, Mas Amor Que Frenesi , ¨Mortadelo and Filemon , mission : save the planet¨ , suspense such as ¨The ugliest girl in the world¨ and ¨Incautos¨ at his best and the latter result to be his most successful pictures . Bardem , nowadays only directs good TV movies such as ¨Prim , Asesinato De Calle Turco¨, ¨Hospital Central¨, ¨Angel or Demonio¨, ¨Asesinato Carrero Blanco¨ and ¨Misterios De Laura¨.

Not extreme, not as clever as it seems to think it is and not as funny either but it is certainly very different and tries very hard. One of the main problems is the CGI effects which overwhelm the slight, if effective, storyline. It is very Spanish and is bound to upset many with it's seeming misogyny and quite unnecessary grubby remarks by the police officers. This may all be part of showing how out of touch the Spanish police are but it grates a little today and reminds one of a 70's Hong Kong flick. Powerful performance from the leading lady but that's about it really. Has to be seen but it's only just above average, unfortunately.

I was expecting La Mujer Mas Fea Del Mundo to be an average or slightly above average movie. Oh boy, how wrong! First of all, it's unique, but it doesn't screw it up. It somehow reminded me a little bit of El Dia De La Bestia, which I don't know why. All in all, it seems like Almodovar isn't the only Spaniard to direct excellent films. La Mujer Mas Fea Del Mundo is a sci-fi, a comedy, and has a good touch of romance too. The plot is extraordinary and well-managed. The acting is perfect. The stuttering guy and Elia Galera could very well win something like an Oscar. It's quite captivating too, I couldn't leave my chair for a second! A perfect 10 for this great, different movie. Highly recommended!

It's an original movie, possibly the best of Miguel Bardem: Lola is a girl who was abandoned in a convent because she was "the ugliest woman in the world"; eighteen years later, a professor of university tries an experiment with her, she becomes "the most beautiful woman in the world" and she starts to kill all the Miss Spain, angry with the beauty.The story happens into a future republican Spain (republican Spain? Really future!), the policemen are stupid (in future, too?) and the movie doesn't lose a little sense of humor, it has a moral and a nice final like a fairy tale.The lead actress, Elia Galera, maybe needs a little more of experience in acting, but her beauty and style are appropiate for her character.