Bardem's Benito Gonzalez is convinced he can bluff his way into the construction business, with the the Spain's tallest building, in other words, a very big erection. Benito charms a model, Claudia, into his life, eventually keeping her as his mistress after marrying a prominent banker's daughter, Marta. For a brief period, Benito appears to have achieved his dreams. Where the story takes it turn from the comic is when the images of success collapse.

Unlike a film with a similar plot from an Anglo-American filmmaker, there is no shyness regarding the sexual aspects of Golden Balls. As Claudia, Maribel Verdu is first seen dancing on a table, her feet between large plates of paella. Even Maria de Medeiros, as Marta, eventually sheds her clothes and her demure manner. Even when Benito achieves his fantasy of having the two women at once, Luna lets us know that once Marta and Claudia discover each other, no one else is necessary. (It may be coincidental, but Woody Allen may be borrowing a page or two from Luna. Allen's new film shot in Spain stars Bardem involved in a menage a trois with two women who have their own relationship. One of the women is played by Penelope Cruz who gained international exposure starring with Bardem in Luna's Jamon, Jamon. Oscar watchers may want to note that Golden Balls features an early performance by future winner Benicio Del Toro.)

Based on his involvement with other artistic projects, the more obvious aspects of Golden Balls may say less about Luna's own sophistication than his desire to reach a mass audience. The scant information in English about Luna indicates that there is much more to explore beyond his films. It should be noted, for those with even less knowledge of Spanish than myself, that the title translates as "Eggs of Gold". And eggs appear throughout the film. It is a more apt metaphor for masculinity as well as slang for part of male anatomy. For Luna, men ultimately a like eggs - hard on the outside, soft inside, and unless handled carefully, quite fragile.