title: Things That Make Living Worthwhile
text: # Things That Make Living Worthwhile
  
  Things That Make Living Worthwhile (Spanish: Cosas que hacen que la vida valga la pena) is a 2004 Spanish romantic comedy-drama film directed by Manuel Gómez Pereira, starring Ana Belén and Eduard Fernández.
  
  ## Plot
  
  The plot features the relationship between Hortensia, a divorced woman working as a civil officer at the INEM, and Jorge, an also divorced unemployed man and recovering alcoholic.
  
  ## Cast
  
  * Ana Belén as Hortensia
  * Eduard Fernández as Jorge
  * María Pujalte as Ángeles
  * José Sacristán as Juan
  * Rosario Pardo [es] as América
  * Zoe Berriatúa [es] as Estudiante de la autoescuela
  * Carlos Wu as Chen
  * Carmen Balagué as Farmacéutica
  * Raúl Arévalo as Vendedor
  * Fernando Colomo
  * Carlos Kaniowsky
  
  ## Production
  
  The film was directed by Manuel Gómez Pereira whereas the screenplay was penned by Joaquín Oristrell, Yolanda García Serrano, Carlos Molinero [es] and Luis Piedrahita. It was produced by BocaBoca Producciones with the participation of TVE and Canal+.
  
  ## Release
  
  The film screened at the 7th Málaga Spanish Film Festival (FMCE) in 2004. Distributed by Columbia Tristar Spain, the film was theatrically released in Spain on 26 November 2004.
  
  ## Reception
  
  Jonathan Holland of Variety deemed the film be "an enjoyable, adult-oriented comedy romancer beefed up by a thought-provoking darker side".
  
  Mirito Torreiro of Fotogramas gave it 4 out of 5 stars highlighting the chemistry between the leads to be the best about the film.
  
  ## Accolades
  
  | Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
  | - | - | - | - | - |
  | 2004 | 7th Málaga Spanish Film Festival | Public Choice Award | Public Choice Award | Won |
  | 2005 | 19th Goya Awards | Best Actor | Eduard Fernández | Nominated |
  | 2005 | 19th Goya Awards | Best Actress | Ana Belén | Nominated |
  | 2005 | 14th Actors and Actresses Union Awards | Best Film Actor in a Leading Role | Eduard Fernández | Nominated |
  | 2005 | 14th Actors and Actresses Union Awards | Best Film Actress in a Leading Role | Ana Belén | Nominated |
  