review for How to Be a Woman and Not Die in the Attempt on AllMovie

The battle of the sexes is played out during a year in the comically troubled marriage of reporter Carmen (Carmen Maura) and her music producer husband Antonio (Antonio Resines). Director Ana Belen freshens up the familiar "he doesn't listen to me" themes of communication (and lack thereof) between men and women by invading Carmen's thoughts as she watches four seasons' worth of seemingly inexplicable masculine behavior with benign -- and, ultimately, misguided -- superiority. Funny, human, and ultimately very touching, and set at the breakneck pace Spanish audiences apparently demand, this wittily perceptive comedy satisfies on several levels. Released in 1990, it holds up remarkably well and compares very favorably to the Penelope Cruz-starrer Woman on Top, which has a similar theme (but is handled very differently). Maura's infectious passion comes through in each scene, making it a joy to behold, particularly for fans of foreign films.