Film Review: Doris & Bettan - Marbella Mayhem
by Marinell Haegelin

Costa del Sol. It doesn’t take rocket science for these two to know how to have fun. They earned it. Retired, finally, they’ve got lazing on the Spanish beach down to a science. Comfortable deckchairs, a never-ending supply of cocktails, and letting it all hang out. Plus, freedom from time clocks and no place to be that only retired people can truly appreciate. They’re taking great pleasure in this unadulterated comfort when “stick in the muds” stick themselves right next to our super heroines.

You know the type—a twenty-seven-kilometer-long beach and they plonk themselves next to what bothers them the most: boisterous happy people with music (too loud), sipping cocktails (boozing), topless women (floozies) and, just because the gals point out there’s plenty of other empty places further along the beach, they’re accused of smart-alecky talk. Insult to injury, the hotel management take their side. How about that! Doris and Bettan didn’t get this far in life and life-experiences to let fuddy-duddies ruin their vacation. Leaping to their feet, unabashedly Bettan and Doris take the offense causing a hearty hullabaloo that reverberates between placid waters and fresh sea air. Bosoms bouncing, their arms flailing and feet kicking up sand sets off shock waves to and fro among sand-between-the-toes holidayers in the vicinity. For anyone who’s seen FRIED GREEN TOMATOES (1991) don’t be surprised at the natural inclination to holler “Towanda!”

Director Ellen Ekman’s funny and witty story’s great characterizations and quirky animation combine to enliven audiences’ entertainment, while celebrating the power of women. Productions values are solid, the script’s puns spare no one from James Bond to Barbie types, the small-minded, and the greedy nouveau riche. What’s hard to misread is DORIS & BETTAN - MARBELLA MAYHEM’s bottom line—be true to yourself and your friends.