I've never seen the female star before. If she's famous in her country, I can see why. She is captivating and commands the screen. When she's in a shot, my eyes went to her before going to others. She has many small expressions to convey a host of meanings.
But I found the movie slow and boring. There is a point, I suppose. An obvious, cliché point. I was hoping for more.
I loved the character. Did not love the movie.
She wasn't a big star here before the movie. She's worked mostly in theatre.
shareI did like the movie quite a bit, but I agree that she was the best part of the film.
One should always be on the lookout for fiendish thingies when enjoying winter sports.
We were so looking forward to the movie based on reviews and the previews that we saw. We thought it was going to be more of a comedy, but it was not. We were very disappointed in how slow the movie progressed. Too many disco scenes. Paulina Garcia is a great actress in looks and in her expressions, but the storyline wasn't very good. Her character wasn't well developed. She had been divorced for 12 years, then suddenly decides to date again? What was she doing for 12 years? And the ending left you hanging. What was her job? She went to an office and had a cubicle with a computer, but what did she do? Didn't she have any office friends or any friends at all to go out dancing with? Why did she and her husband divorce? What was her relationship with her son and daughter? There were a number of unanswered questions about her personal in life other than "looking for Mr. Goodbar" at discos. And isn't 58 years old a bit old to be frequenting discos?
shareShe had been divorced for 12 years, then suddenly decides to date again? What was she doing for 12 years?
What was her job? She went to an office and had a cubicle with a computer, but what did she do?
Didn't she have any office friends or any friends at all to go out dancing with? Why did she and her husband divorce?
What was her relationship with her son and daughter?
And isn't 58 years old a bit old to be frequenting discos?
Life is boring. And the movie was about real life. Not an action, super drama filled mind blowing junk. I see your point. But then I don't. I'd expect more from an insight, like your's. Even the cat had it's role. ;)
shareMy sentiments exactly. Well said, sir!
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here is an older woman degrading herself in every conceivable way in search of a man, ultimately failing, becoming a dope-smoking alcoholic who dances to hideously bad music and engages in catastrophic one-night stands--and this is supposed to be progress?
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Again, you have to separate things. Most of what she does in the movie is because of her midlife crisis and it's harmless. But what happened at the beach... Have you ever been dumped? It makes you wanna do stupid things. Most women just eat an entire bowl of ice cream. But some want to do the same men do: Trying to fill the void with booze and sex.
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I used the word "dumped" to generalize and give my example. The thing is that she wasn't just dumped. RODOLFO abandoned her without any notice. Again, I'm not saying that what she did was the right thing. I'm saying that when people are emotionally hurt they don't always think straight.
shareWhy do people spend their time *judging* the character in a movie or book? I was in a book club in which many of the women spent their time railing against all the male characters because they were "sexist" or brutes(in their eyes).
I think we are called on to observe only. Does the character stay consistent to what the writer/director established at the start? Does she/he manage to stay within the arc of the story in a believable way? Can we identity with the character or recall people of whom we have witnessed in the same situations?
She had managed to be somewhat happy going to disco clubs but once back home, her loneliness would speak to her. Her relationship with her children and even grandchild was distant. She was on the cusp of not being able to attract men. She was stuck with a neighbor who brought tension to her life and sleepless nights.
When Rodolfo came into her life she thought her loneliness was finally a thing of the past. Her "dignity" as you call it got derailed when she had to face that her life was not going to change. The flirtation with the stranger was sordid, but didn't this illustrate how lonely she actually was? How desperate she was to believe that she could still attract men? And how she had thought a man could fill her up? (pun intended)
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Thanks, but I am not at all tired. Your concern on my behalf is noted, however.
Okay you don't identify with Gloria. You are either judgmental or not very imaginative. Or haven't gotten out much, or when you do, you are not very curious.
I thought of the loneliness of my mother in law who went out to dance clubs at the age of 55 after the break up of her marriage. For her there was a NEED to get out there. For her, the thought of living by herself was frightening.
While I don't identify with her specifically, I see why she (generational expectations of her time period as a young woman; the need to conform, and also a need for social stimuli to be happy) acted the way she did. I see that she acted in character unto herself. It wouldn't work for me, but there you go. It wasn't working for Gloria either but she still had hope that things might change, which kept her singing and dancing.
i agree with you zola (and imdb). i adored this movie--thanks to the actress. but then i am a 59 year old single woman who lives alone, so duh. of course a younger person or a man wouldn't be able to remotely relate to the character's motivations. although i haven't and wouldn't resort to the self destructive behavior of gloria, i most certainly could understand (and not judge) the loneliness, the empty nest, and the black hole of a future society consigns to invisible aging women. how about maybe she just likes to dance? why would anyone younger than 40 even see this movie? a man facing 60 alone would exhibit equally questionable behavior (rodolfo's corset?) i found the ending of the movie to be exhilaratingly optimistic in a corny hollywood-ish way. gloria (and the tremendous actress who portrayed her) is just such a great character i just believe she'll end up ok in the end
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just read that review & I also say "bravo" ...albeit, it reads a bit harsh.
I honestly couldn't disagree with anything written above.
And yes, this from a woman fast approaching mid-50's, the age in which theme should potentially resonate (from what others wrote. Those, apparently, in which it did).
It just doesn't strike out as any sort of advancement or endorsement for aging women! I mean, let's be honest in what we see depicted...she's pretty ill-advised, pathetic & sad.
And to be fair, I don't think aging women need to be represented in such pitiful fashion. Even here, in just one meaningless, forgetful, character study!
Yes, I'm confident there are aging women & men of all sorts out there, trying to find happiness & purpose, redefine themselves...whatever....throughout this entire course of their lives, doing so in a VARIETY of different ways. No doubt, surely some managing as poorly as the characters here, but I don't find it particularly interesting, affirming or entertaining.
Again, just sad.
I'd MUCH prefer watching an empowered woman unfolding in the story. One taking control in a productive, useful manner of what years she has left to leave more her mark on the world.
I suppose one can argue that's been done already (maybe to death) but still nice to see.
To reduce an aging (maybe professional, WHO knows!) woman on some futile quest to "fulfill" her life ONLY through ultimate accompaniment of some MAN is actually kinda sexist, narrow-minded & lacks necessary dimension.
YES.... loneliness as one theme is beyond worthy an exploration, but it wasn't properly plumbed here.
Plus, she was so damn immature and overtly slutty, with little to no self-respect or dignity, it was cringe-worthy (and NO, have no problems with "aging sex"). The narrative made it near-impossible to root for her.
And yeah, you can admonish me for "judging" her but heck, we all are entitled to our opinions & gut reactions & have full right to express them.
Lastly, what's funny is I accidentally rented this NOT having realized I saw it before. I never do that so just shows you what an impression it did NOT make.
Once it started I thought "this looks SO familiar" then realized I watched it but thought it would be good idea, perhaps, to give it a second chance.
Wish I could report it changed my insight & perception. Sadly, no (just not as "sad" as I found this protagonist, who I failed to even cheer for or care about on any level. Certainly however, think I should mention the actress did a WONDERFUL job with a script that didn't hold much).
I normally love Lions Gate films and foreign movies but this one was just too slow for me. I stopped watching after 30 minutes. Maybe it got better but I couldn't take it any longer. Luckily for me it was free at Redbox because I had a movie code.
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