I saw this movie today, the day after it opened here. And although I did find this movie sort of appealing, I think it's ultimately very disappointing.
The basic motif is really very appealing: an unfulfilled love that nonetheless lasts 51 years and more.
But although it's clear that we're supposed to like the main character, Fiorentino, he comes across as being a self-regarding narcissist, not as a man deeply loving from afar. After all, the movie shows him as a man carefully recording each sexual conquest. I think most of us can find a Casanova somewhat appealing as a character; but who can really like a man who seems so concerned to record each sexual conquest, and use his account book to periodically regale someone with how many women he's laid?
And the movie opens with this man approaching his beloved just after the funeral of her husband, ignoring her tears, oblivious to her sorrow, dismissing her bereavement, seemingly utterly insensible to her feelings ... and instead preaching his devotion to her. He seems not in love with her, but rather in love with his love for her; or in love with hearing his own voice nobly declaring his love for her. No wonder she reacts with such rage.
For that matter, all three main characters are interesting, in some degree, but also downright unlikable. Why? They come across as being self-indulgent and self-absorbed, not star-crossed lovers in a love triangle.
The script has holes ... such as a brief allusion to the main character's falling in love with one of his conquests. We don't find much out about this relationship. Yet, if love is so all-important, shouldn't we be allowed to learn more of this love, brief tho it may be? The acting is adequate but often over-played. The cinematography is resplendent - what a wonderful depiction of the lush Colombian jungle and the beautiful Cartagena.
Now the basic problem may well be with the translation of the book to script. I haven't read the book, so it may depict the main characters with greater sympathy. I certainly hope so. A good love story should give us lovers we can really like. This movie does not. And therefore ultimately proves unsatisfactory.
The basic motif is really very appealing: an unfulfilled love that nonetheless lasts 51 years and more.
But although it's clear that we're supposed to like the main character, Fiorentino, he comes across as being a self-regarding narcissist, not as a man deeply loving from afar. After all, the movie shows him as a man carefully recording each sexual conquest. I think most of us can find a Casanova somewhat appealing as a character; but who can really like a man who seems so concerned to record each sexual conquest, and use his account book to periodically regale someone with how many women he's laid?
And the movie opens with this man approaching his beloved just after the funeral of her husband, ignoring her tears, oblivious to her sorrow, dismissing her bereavement, seemingly utterly insensible to her feelings ... and instead preaching his devotion to her. He seems not in love with her, but rather in love with his love for her; or in love with hearing his own voice nobly declaring his love for her. No wonder she reacts with such rage.
For that matter, all three main characters are interesting, in some degree, but also downright unlikable. Why? They come across as being self-indulgent and self-absorbed, not star-crossed lovers in a love triangle.
The script has holes ... such as a brief allusion to the main character's falling in love with one of his conquests. We don't find much out about this relationship. Yet, if love is so all-important, shouldn't we be allowed to learn more of this love, brief tho it may be? The acting is adequate but often over-played. The cinematography is resplendent - what a wonderful depiction of the lush Colombian jungle and the beautiful Cartagena.
Now the basic problem may well be with the translation of the book to script. I haven't read the book, so it may depict the main characters with greater sympathy. I certainly hope so. A good love story should give us lovers we can really like. This movie does not. And therefore ultimately proves unsatisfactory.