boredom in the time of the cholera

Simon says on Nov 17, 2007, 11:27:

Says you!!


Here is Leonard Maltin's review:



LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA — I know, I know: you haven’t heard much about this movie, and some of the reviews haven’t been enthusiastic. All I can say is that I fell in love with the film. In fact, I was so enthralled that I now want to read Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s novel, to experience it more fully.

Love in the Time of Cholera is the saga of a young man who falls in love with a woman at first sight. Her father refuses to allow their relationship to flower, and in time, she abandons hope and marries another man. But nothing can dispel or dissuade her ardent lover, whose obsession continues unabated for the rest of his life.

That alone might make for an interesting film, but it’s just the springboard for Marquez’s flights of fancy, and Ronald Harwood’s simpatico screen adaptation. The story is enhanced by a robust and utterly disarming sense of humor, great sensuality, and a colorful array of supporting characters. With exquisite production and costume design and impeccable craftsmanship, the world of Colombia at the turn of the 20 th century comes to life on screen.

The cast couldn’t be better, from Italian leading lady Giovanna Mezzogiorno to the grande dame of Brazilian cinema, Fernanda Montenegro, from Hector Elizondo to John Leguizamo. The women in the film are rapturously beautiful, including Catalina Sandino Moreno, who made such an impressive debut in Maria Full of Grace.

Then there is Javier Bardem. This magnificent actor’s mere presence makes any film worth seeing, but his richly textured performance as the lovesick, lifelong suitor is unlike anything I’ve seen him do before. (Needless to say, it stands out in sharp contrast to his psychopathic killer in No Country for Old Men.)

I fear that this film may get lost in the shuffle, eclipsed by the edgier, more heavily promoted Oscar bait coming to theaters this month. But, like the hero of the story, I live in hope. Love in the Time of Cholera is a film to be savored and cherished, and I hope it finds the audience it deserves.

HERE'S SIMON!!!!

oldbongo says on Nov 17, 2007, 13:17:

just goes to show what a farce is the movie business.
shrek was enjoyed by and patronized to the tune of zillions by the same types of
peons as leonard, who, at least has the good sense to caveat his support with the disclaimer in the first sentence.
of course, he hadn't read the book,...duh....
"the women in the film are rapturously beautiful"...he says,
are yu kidding?. the only pretty one was zuleta, and she got killed off quick for her quickie.
exquisite production, impeccable craftmanship,....well, oldbongo happens to know some of the folks involved in this affair, and can tell you that it did indeed temporarily provide gainful employment to quite a few people, like location managers, and transportation managers, and businesses, like the one that built the paddle-boat, but, that is all gone, you have some images onscreen, but soon, they will be forgotten, and all that hype, hope, and 50 million$ spent on this, will either line the producers pockets, or be wasted. oldbongo says they should have spent 50 million on cleaning up the streets of th city instead of dumping tons of sand and dirt on it, and then gone into the tourist business, 'cause this film cannot do much for colombia, or cartagena, or Gabo, for that matter.

still hope for the kite runner though.

GregYohn says on Nov 17, 2007, 14:21:

Hola!

Who of you know the movie was filmed in Cartagena and Shakira sang 3 songs?

Of course, I might not like the movie's plot, but since my son will will be born in Colombia, I have a sense of pride!

12VOIP.com gives free calls to Colombia.Greg

Desideria (Moderator) says on Nov 17, 2007, 14:48:

Greg, I didn't know that!
When is she due?

"I have opinions of my own, strong opinions, but I don't always agree with them."-President George W. Bush

Medellin Traveler says on Nov 17, 2007, 16:26:

I will save my $10.00 and treat myself to a few Pilsens when I return to Colombia.

Regardless of how much I enjoy my time in Medellin, Colombia I am not wasting my hard-earned money to sit through two hours of a lousy film.

The reviews have been negative for the most part, I'm staying home.

Medellin es una chimba! www.medellintraveler.com

billyb says on Nov 17, 2007, 16:41:

I liked the book very much, but cannot see how it could be translated into a movie that WASN"T inherenlty boring.

Man Tequila says on Nov 17, 2007, 20:41:

A tough task. Would have said the same for Lord of the Rings though.

Aunque no me creas/ si me lo propongo/ lograre olvidarte/ porque a fin de cuentas/ no soy tan cobarde./ Y termino todo una de estas tardes/ no sera dificil buscar algún sitio donde refugiarme/ donde nunca mas vuelvas a encontrarme. (Polo Montañez)

christobeldawg says on Nov 17, 2007, 20:59:

overall a colossal failure, but not without merit. I like those movies where one is unaware of the actors being actors, as the story is so engrossing. not the case here.
having said that, I would advise anyone interested in Colombia to check it out, as it does capture somewhat that era of Colombia, does capture some of the magic of Marquez, and Cartegena looks great.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

christobeldawg says on Nov 17, 2007, 21:00:

I just so much wish it could have been a great one, and it isn't.

admittedly, arriving can feel great too

kat1 (Moderator) says on Nov 18, 2007, 03:20:

If you read the book first then you are never going to be happy with the film.

I am glad I watched Lord of the rings first then I read the book :)

engage brain before opening mouth

bufalo says on Nov 18, 2007, 16:59:

True about Lord of the Rings... Glad I read it first.

I'm about halfway through a script that I hope to film in Salento come January - WAY less budget, but hope it's more entertaining than what you guys describe "Love" to be.

How much you want to bet that Colombians will love it ONLY because it was shot in Colombia and based on a Marquéz book? - that is to say if it is as boring as the posters said.

"If you don't like it - lump it, take it down the road and dump it." - Archie Bunker played by Carroll O'Connor

Robert Jorge says on Nov 18, 2007, 19:30:

We just got back from watching the film this evening. I think it was worth seeing. On a 1 to 10 scale, was it a 9 or 10? - no. But I would give it a 5 or 6. I thought it was done with a good sense of humor. One of the last lines of the film was the guy telling his beloved (both into their 70s I guess) "that he had saved his virginity for her for all those years." She called him a liar - and the audience laughed, because she didn't know that that was not only a lie, but that he had slept with 622 women (or more) by the time they had finally got in bed. He kept a journal of his intimate encounters over his life. Anyway, I liked the movie. Pretty funny, great scenery and a little bit of Colombian history thrown in. Plus, there were lots of boobies!

--"I believe in making the world safe for our children. But not for our children's children, because I don't think that children should be having sex." - Jack Handy

elmodefoque says on Nov 19, 2007, 05:05:

cordobita, you read lord of the ring?? esa vaina es pa locos

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

kat1 (Moderator) says on Nov 19, 2007, 07:43:

Entonces estoy Loca Elmo, it is a good book, bit of Old English but interesting to read. Maybe i will send you copy for Christmas :P

engage brain before opening mouth

elmodefoque says on Nov 19, 2007, 07:47:

noooooooooooo thanks. i'm already too damn loco as it is to be reading chit like that.
let me stick to my new york times and el diario and national inquirer and my weekly "poopreport" newsletter

over 5 million colombianos in USA and only 27 barranquilleros, i'm one.Curramba, el mejor vividero del mundo!

oldbongo says on Nov 19, 2007, 08:32:

hi kids!!!!!!!
both of you angels should read khaled hosseni, .......
after that, you will feel lucky to have been born locolombian, with your puny problems.
anyway, shakira sounds like a wounded loon.