Based on the novel by Prosper Merimee, Carmen is the classic tale of forbidden passion between a young man (Leonardo Sbaraglia) and a spoken-for woman, Carmen (Paz Vega). It is told in flashback as the young soldier, stripped of his decorations, explains all in a prison cell.

He tells of the love he had for Carmen and the passion they shared and shows how ultimately it proved to be destructive.

Director Vicente Aranda knows a lot about romance. His films include Lovers, The Bilingual Lover, Jealousy, Turkish Passion and Mad Love, so you tend to feel he's on home ground making a realistic film about two infatuated people who have to snatch odd moments to be together. You also see a lot of Vega and most red bloodied males aren't going to grumble about that. The romance, too, is believable.

For a story that exudes passion, you expect Carmen to be vibrant and fiery and dramatic. However, the film never really catches fire. For all the tension and full blown love scenes, it seems like a story that you end up following, thinking that it will lead to more than you're ultimately given. At times, you wish the pace would quicken up and towards the end, you may even begin to feel tired of watching so much writhing flesh. It ceases to hold the same level of excitement as it did at the start.

A smouldering passion then, rather than big flames, although fans of Sbaraglia and Vega are unlikely to complain, because you do see a lot of them.