DVD
REVIEW: LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA
03/12/08
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.
VIDEO:
16x9 widescreen (2.35) version
of the film
AUDIO:
English Dolby
Digital 5.1
English 2.0 Stereo Surround
English and Spanish subtitles
SPECIAL FEATURES:
“The Making of Love in the Time of Cholera”
documentary : A very complete documentary where the
director,
the producers and cast talk in detail about film. Worth
seeing (30:05)
Feature audio commentary by director Mike Newell
Deleted / Alternate Scenes: A total of 18
deleted scenes The deleted scenes are all worth
watching. All the deleted scenes can be play with
audio commentary by director Gavin Hood(18:03)
RATING BREAK DOWN:
| FILM REVIEW |
 |
|
VIDEO |
|
|
AUDIO |
|
| BONUS
FEATURES |
 |
Submit Your Movie Review
MORE MOVIE REVIEWS
>>>
