Couples (1999 film)

Couples (Spanish: Novios) is a 1999 Spanish comedy film directed by Joaquín Oristrell which stars Juanjo Puigcorbé, Candela Peña and Juan Diego Botto alongside María Barranco and Karra Elejalde.

Couples
Theatrical release poster
Spanish	Novios
Directed by	Joaquín Oristrell
Screenplay by	Joaquín Oristrell Dominic Harari Teresa de Pelegrí
Produced by	César Benítez Joaquín Oristrell Manuel Gómez Pereira
Starring	Juanjo Puigcorbé Candela Peña Juan Diego Botto María Barranco Karra Elejalde
Cinematography	Hans Bürmann
Edited by	Miguel Ángel Santamaría
Music by	Suso Sáiz
Production companies	Bocatelevisión Aurum Producciones
Distributed by	Columbia Tri-Star Films de España
Release date	17 September 1999 (1999-09-17)
Country	Spain
Language	Spanish

Plot

The plot tracks sexist wedding catering business owner Arturo, who cheats on his wife Paz with kitchen helper Cristal, who in turns decides to seduce Arturo's son, mentally-challenged Arturito, in retaliation for Arturo's lacks of commitment.^[1][2][3]

Cast

• Juanjo Puigcorbé as Arturo^[4]
• Juan Diego Botto as Arturito^[3]
• Candela Peña as Cristal^[3]
• María Barranco as Paz^[3]
• Karra Elejalde as José^[3]
• Francisco Boira as Merlo^[3]

Release

The film was released theatrically in Spain on 17 September 1999.^[3]

Reception

Jonathan Holland of Variety deemed Couples to be a "disappointing" second feature from Oristrell, veering "uncomfortably between straight farce, social commentary and melodrama", while conceding that the performances are still good.^[2]

See also

• List of Spanish films of 1999