This is a very laid-back film. If you are looking for a fast-paced mentally challenging movie, look elsewhere. There are no chase scenes, no firearms at all, no acts of violence, no CGI.
It's no masterpiece, but it is a pleasant, peaceful and satisfying couple of hours at the cinema. I think Vanessa Redgrave is a treat in any kind of film, and in this film, her long-lost lover turns out to be Franco Nero, who was also one of Vanessa's long-lost lovers in real life.
The problems with the film are primarily a matter of the screenplay. There seems to be virtually no chemistry between Charlie and Sophie, not even when they are supposedly madly in love with each other. In contrast, Sophie's fiancé Victor (played by Gael Garcia Bernal) seems to be more physically attracted to Sophie. Had the actors playing Victor and Charlie swapped roles, I would have been much more convinced.
Having Charlie initially seem to be just a prissy old queen is a very bad screen writing choice. Especially when the prissy facade is maintained for so long. Because of this, Charlie seemed like such an unlikely soul mate for Sophie that I was expecting Victor to undergo a transformation which would strengthen his bond with Sophie.
I was so happy that Claire and Lorenzo found each other again. After all, that was the point of the film. Beyond that: all I can say is that Sophie terminated one engagement after she faced the true facts. It might happen again.
This was a far-from-perfect film, but the elder cast members made this very worthwhile.
It's no masterpiece, but it is a pleasant, peaceful and satisfying couple of hours at the cinema. I think Vanessa Redgrave is a treat in any kind of film, and in this film, her long-lost lover turns out to be Franco Nero, who was also one of Vanessa's long-lost lovers in real life.
The problems with the film are primarily a matter of the screenplay. There seems to be virtually no chemistry between Charlie and Sophie, not even when they are supposedly madly in love with each other. In contrast, Sophie's fiancé Victor (played by Gael Garcia Bernal) seems to be more physically attracted to Sophie. Had the actors playing Victor and Charlie swapped roles, I would have been much more convinced.
Having Charlie initially seem to be just a prissy old queen is a very bad screen writing choice. Especially when the prissy facade is maintained for so long. Because of this, Charlie seemed like such an unlikely soul mate for Sophie that I was expecting Victor to undergo a transformation which would strengthen his bond with Sophie.
I was so happy that Claire and Lorenzo found each other again. After all, that was the point of the film. Beyond that: all I can say is that Sophie terminated one engagement after she faced the true facts. It might happen again.
This was a far-from-perfect film, but the elder cast members made this very worthwhile.