The Good Life (1996 film)

The Good Life (La buena vida) is a 1996 comedy-drama film written and directed by David Trueba, starring Fernando Ramallo and Lucía Jiménez.

Production
The film is a Spanish-French-Italian co-production by Fernando Trueba PC, Kaplan, and Olmo Films alongside L. Films and Academy Pictures.

Release
Distributed by United International Pictures (UIP), the film was released theatrically in Spain on 13 December 1996. It screened in the Directors' Fortnight at the 1997 Cannes Film Festival. It also screened at the 32nd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in July 1997, winning the Special Jury Prize.

Reception
Jonathan Holland of Variety deemed the film to be "a charming, carefully crafted and low-key tragicomedy".

Sequel
Trueba wrote and directed a 2018 sequel, Almost 40, with Ramallo and Jiménez returning to their roles over two decades after.

Accolades

 * align = "center" rowspan = "4" | 1997 || rowspan = "4" | 11th Goya Awards || Best Original Screenplay || David Trueba || Nominated || rowspan = "4" |
 * Best New Director || David Trueba || Nominated
 * Best Supporting Actor || Luis Cuenca || Won
 * Best New Actress || Lucía Jiménez || Nominated
 * }
 * Best Supporting Actor || Luis Cuenca || Won
 * Best New Actress || Lucía Jiménez || Nominated
 * }
 * }