MOVIE REVIEW: LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA

11/07/07

Fifty one years, nine months and four days" is the amount of time that took for Florentino Ariza (Javier Bardem) to awaken in Fermina Daza (Giovana Mezzogiorno) the love that he had kept for her since his adolescence. Love in the Time of Cholera is the book that tells about this beautiful love story that has captivated the minds and hearts of many since it was released in 1985. The book by Nobel Prize Winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez has been adapted to the big screen, but just like Florentino Ariza, producer Scott Steindorff had to wait a long time before he could see his dream come true. This comes after Garcia Marquez would not release the rights of his book and it is no surprise, Love in the Time of Cholera is his sweet and spoiled daughter. This is not the first time that Garcia Marquez turns away a script, but the idea of having the movie done in English was reason enough to give Steindorff an absolute no. Tactic and strategy paid off for Steindorff, who after success with Garcia Marquez went off to hire the Irish director Mike Newell, who in 1994 became well known in Hollywood when he directed the movie “Four Weddings and One Funeral” with Hugh Grant.

Even though Garcia Marquez was not explicit in his book about the town where the main events of his book take place, he does mention a Colombian Caribbean town. La Heroica (The Heroic) as Cartagena is also well known was not only the cinematographic setting but also other parts of the country, which were highlighted for its beautiful green pastures, incredible mountain range, peaceful ocean beaches and wary rivers.

Love in the Time of Cholera was a book that fascinated me from the time I first read it twenty-two years ago and even more today. Skeptical and cautious about the adaptation of this book to the big screen, I was able to grasp the essence of each of the characters and the sensitive story of a frustrated love that finally succeeds at an old age.

Ronald Harwood just created one of the best adaptations in recent years. He managed to cover every single important part of the book, but of course in this type of adaptations things have to change a little bit. One example is at the beginning with the death of Dr Juvenal Urbino which was not of natural causes as the book describes it but as a result of falling from a tree. As the movie proceeds it shows how this beginning was necessary in trying to develop the story in the big screen.

The entire cast was exceptional. I enjoyed seeing John Leguizamo as Señor Daza with the same rudeness and coldness as the book describes him. Benjamin Pratt as Dr Juvenal Urbino interprets his character with the pride and glamour of a wealthy, and well educated physician interested in social status. However, the biggest star goes to Giovana Mezzogiorno's performance, which was just amazing. In the different stages of her character she was able to transmit the emotions of each of the stages of the life of Fermina. Giovana is Hollywood material.

This movie was exceptionally well done in so many ways. Maintaining the sensibility of the book, it is the big background scenario what gives this story life. The effort put in by the support staff like make up artist and costume designers was outstanding. For example, the italian actress Giovanna Mezzogiorno interprets Fermina Daza's from her youth through her old age with much grace enhanced by the job of this support staff. While with other characters there was a change of actors to depict age, they all looked true to the period from head to toe. In the same manner, I enjoyed watching the great transformation in costumes from the late 1800's, which gave the movie that periodic drama label. The final and most enjoyable touch of this movie was the folkloric music of this region like Cumbia, which was nicely put in the most appropriate scenes. I do have one observation and that is even though I enjoy Shakira's music having one of her pop songs was shocking to the mood, especially more than once.

By the way, the culture of this South American country, Colombia was well captured; from the feasts in December to the market place ambiance and the country side living. I truly felt transported to this time and place with the privilege of reliving the love story of all times.

I have nothing but a standing ovation and big round of applause for director Mike Newell, screenwriter Ronald Hardwood, producer Scott Steinoff and cast. Like Florentino and Fermina embarked in a vapor driven boat, I have no doubt that this is just the beginning of a big journey for this movie that has winner written all over it.

Review By Jen
jen@smartcine.com

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People Review Love In The Time Of Cholera

Nelson

It is very difficult to adapt a story from a book and try to maintain it as pure as possible in a movie. I enjoyed the movie, especially since Mike Newell tried to maintain it as descriptive as possible to the book. You have to keep in mind that sometimes the proverb "a picture is worth a thousand words" does not apply to Gabriel Garcia Marquez stories, he can make you feel, touch, smell, cry, laugh, in just a couple of sentences.

V	100
love the movie... it is nice to see something different in the movie theaters.......

Merly	100
I think many critics failed to mention that Javier Barden was brilliant with his performance as Florentino Ariza. He cpativated the pain and suffering of Florentino, and the adventurous ways to get women to sleep with him. He was the star of the movie!!!..

Ruth Rosenberg	100
I loved the book..while a movie cannot capture every essence of a book, I do believe the movie was beautiful, interesting, fabulous acting of all the major characters....and all the ladies that succombed to Florentino Arizas charms. The critics scared off attendance to the movie, however the few people that attended the film the night that I saw the movie...everybody loved it.

movie	100
I truly enjoyed this film. Barden came across as the man I imagine while reading the novel and was surprised how he was able to adapt his body to the changing of time as he grew old. He is one the best actor s in our time!

Helen Berners

it is quite simple. glorious prose has to be read to be appreciated and rarely translates to the screen. a film must be viewed on its own merits. in such cases it is probably best to have read the book a long time ago (in my case), or better still, not at all! the film is visually sumptuous, yes, and trundles episodically towards its conclusion, but nowhere does it capture the spell-binding joy of its literary parent. of course, javier bardem is always easy on the eye and, when tricked out as a 70-something, bears a remarkable resemblance to groucho marx.

Nathaniel Browne	50
I quite agree with the above comment. All the lyricism, humour and magic realism is lost on screen. This is just another love story with a slightly bizarre edge. Standard fare.