I enjoyed this experience of watching a film in a foreign language and trying to figure out what was going on. I was very surprised when I realized that I understood pretty much everything, minus few conversational details. It was an amazing revelation to me that it really does not matter which language you speak, feelings and human behavior are the same everywhere you go.
The main character Carol was a very strong and observant teenage girl. I speak from my own experience when I say that adjusting to a new culture and a new country is a difficult task for anyone. But to do this in your teenage years I believe is especially difficult. Carol was not received in the new society as a welcome member due to her connection to America. At the time of her arrival to Spain, the country was transforming through socialism and Carol coming from America was not welcome. She was very quiet and observant of the changes and moods around her. There was a lot going on in her head, but not much expressed, just observed. I believe that this demeanor helped her to integrate herself into the Spanish society. She made some friends and the childish ways of them growing up together was another way of her integrating. Also the unconditional love from her grandpa was a strong wall she knew she could lean on any time. We see that in the episode when her farther sneaks into the country to see Carol.
Another great film!