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Amazon.co.uk Review
There's no reason an Englishman shouldn't take on a landmark in Latin American literature. Four Weddings and a Funeral, after all, proves Mike Newell has a feel for romance. Adapted by The Pianist's Ronald Harwood, Love in the Time of Cholera is an epic vision of true love. For all the talent involved, however, this lush realisation of the Gabriel García Márquez novel never takes flight. Newell begins with a death before backtracking 50 year to the late-1800s, with Florentino (Unax Ugalde), a poetry-writing telegraph operator living in an unnamed city (the movie was filmed in Cartagena, Columbia) who spots the graceful Fermina (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) while making his rounds, and that's it--he's in love. While Florentino's mother (Central Station's Fernanda Montenegro) encourages the courtship, Fermina's father (John Leguizamo in over-the-top mode) forbids it. Years pass, and the well-born Dr. Urbino (Benjamin Bratt) treats Fermina for a case of cholera. Then, Urbino proposes. Fermina accepts. A distraught Florentino (now played by Javier Bardem) decides to wait. With the help of his uncle (a sprightly Hector Elizondo), he amasses wealth of his own. All the while, he drifts from woman to woman. After five decades of waiting, he gets a second chance to win Fermina's heart, and it's easier said than done. Florentino's journey is absorbing, but Newell's film lacks the passion and complexity of Marquez's prose. The actors give it their all, but Love in the Time of Cholera is more of a pleasant diversion than a life-changing experience. --Kathleen C. Fennessy
Synopsis
Gabriel Garcia Marquez's novel Love in the Time of Cholera straddles the line between pop and art, and manages to be both a bestseller and a literary masterpiece. With an excellent cast and a timeless story, Mike Newell’s cinematic adaptation strives for that same balance. As a young man in 19th-century Colombia, Florentino Ariza (played primarily by Javier Bardem) falls in love with a beautiful woman named Fermina (Giovanna Mezzogiorno). But an overprotective father (John Leguizamo) and too much reality intrude on their romance, and Fermina marries a successful doctor, Juvenal Urbino (Benjamin Bratt). But a wedding ring--and the passing decades—aren't enough to dissuade Florentino from his love, even as he beds hundreds of women as he tries to get over his undying passion.
Screenwriter Ronald Harwood (The Pianist) distills Garcia Marquez's novel--which spans more than 50 years and almost 400 pages--into an accessible film. The basic element of the book—Florentino's love for Fermina--remains intact, and it's driven by yet another excellent performance from Bardem. Fans who were impressed by his masterly turn as a cold-blooded killer in No Country For Old Men will be pleasantly surprised that the Spanish actor can be just as adept playing a character driven by love. As in his previous work such as Four Weddings and a Funeral and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, director Mike Newell has assembled another fine cast that also includes Liev Schreiber, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Hector Elizondo.
Screenwriter Ronald Harwood (The Pianist) distills Garcia Marquez's novel--which spans more than 50 years and almost 400 pages--into an accessible film. The basic element of the book—Florentino's love for Fermina--remains intact, and it's driven by yet another excellent performance from Bardem. Fans who were impressed by his masterly turn as a cold-blooded killer in No Country For Old Men will be pleasantly surprised that the Spanish actor can be just as adept playing a character driven by love. As in his previous work such as Four Weddings and a Funeral and Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, director Mike Newell has assembled another fine cast that also includes Liev Schreiber, Catalina Sandino Moreno, and Hector Elizondo.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
The story opens in a South American city in the 1800s, where young telegraph operator Florentino (Javier Bardem) sees the lovely Fermina and instantly falls in love. Her father forbids it, the two are parted, and the years pass. Fermina meets a sophisticated doctor (Benjamin Bratt) who is more to her father's liking, while Florentino pines away for his lost love, finding solace in the arms of other women.
I haven't read the novel, so I was able to thoroughly enjoy the movie on its own. It is beautifully photographed in Colombia with a multi-national cast. Bardem plays the innocent, lovestruck Florentino so convincingly I could hardly believe he was the sadistic killer in No Country For Old Men. The movie spans 50 years, and he ages well, tugging at our heartstrings the whole time. The same cannot be said of co-star Giovanna Mezzogiorno, however; she plays the teenage Fermina well, but still looks fairly young at the end of the movie and lacks energy and intensity.
The long-distance love story plays out as the city ages, going through cholera epidemics, civil wars, the coming of the automobile, and evolving wardrobe styles. This is quite a lavishly movie with a simple romantic theme; can unrequited love really last 50 years? Highly recommended.
I haven't read the novel, so I was able to thoroughly enjoy the movie on its own. It is beautifully photographed in Colombia with a multi-national cast. Bardem plays the innocent, lovestruck Florentino so convincingly I could hardly believe he was the sadistic killer in No Country For Old Men. The movie spans 50 years, and he ages well, tugging at our heartstrings the whole time. The same cannot be said of co-star Giovanna Mezzogiorno, however; she plays the teenage Fermina well, but still looks fairly young at the end of the movie and lacks energy and intensity.
The long-distance love story plays out as the city ages, going through cholera epidemics, civil wars, the coming of the automobile, and evolving wardrobe styles. This is quite a lavishly movie with a simple romantic theme; can unrequited love really last 50 years? Highly recommended.
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Having just read the book and being impressed by it's beauty and rich detail, it has to be said that the film of `Love in the Time of Cholera' left me feeling very disappointed. It is a very flat portrayal of the story and although it is relatively faithful to the book (with a few omissions), you would be hard pressed to follow certain events and recognise their relevance, unless you had some previous awareness of the plot. Javier Bardem is the best of a bad set of actors and unusually even he is pretty wooden in this film. The locations are stunning to look at and whilst my friend raves about the soundtrack, I found it to be nothing special or note worthy. This film drags when you are watching it and I took a break half way through to do something else, I'm just glad I didn't watch it at the cinema for this reason. It is hard to pinpoint just what it is about this film that disappoints so much; maybe it is because I have just read the book, or it is because of the various reasons I have noted above, but whatever it is I would have to say that I wouldn't rush to watch this again and wouldn't recommend it in a hurry. It is a shame it didn't live up to it's promise.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
Feel free to check out my blog which can be found on my profile page.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you are expecting any true passion in Jane Austen style then you will definitely be disappointed. The film is rushed and the characters are miscast in terms of age and character portrayal. There is no chemistry between them and scenes involving them both are very few. There are scenes which appear from nowhere with no caption and no bearing to the story and I was left wondering what was happening. Although the title infers that true love withstands the effects of cholera; there is very little reference to cholera per se. The Painted Veil is far superior in all aspects including camera work. Considering the lead man was supposed to be so in love, he showed no heartache but constantly bedded an unbelievable number of women with little passion. I bought this DVD as used and I still feel as though I have wasted my money let alone my time.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Very enjoyable
Well, I've never read the book but after having watched the film, it has made me want to go and buy the book. I think that says it all really. Read more
Published 3 months ago by G. Eddleston
As good as the book
Sometimes movies disappoint you after you read the book, e.g. The Da Vinci Code. Not this movie, it was perfect for me. Read more
Published 12 months ago by Lil
Excellent
I found Marques very difficult to read...so I decided on the dvd instead, I was able to follow what was taking place in the film. Brilliant
Published 13 months ago by seeta55
haunting, dramatic love story.
I loved this film. Its one that sticks in the mind. I am not good at describing well but if you like a slightly off-beat, sensual type of film, this one is a stand out. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Mrs. G. A. Sherwin
marquez
I thought this video was excellent. I have read the book and the film was a true representation of the novel and captured the atmosphere created by the author. Read more
Published 22 months ago by sammy127
Love in the Time of Clamydia: A Public Health Film
You know, it's true what they say about siphilus. It does affect your eye sight in your later years. Read more
Published 23 months ago by M. Franklin
Nice film
Its good I read the book first, cause I don't think it would be easy to understand the film without reading the book.
Its a nice film, but I expected more from it. Read more
Its a nice film, but I expected more from it. Read more
Published on 27 Aug 2009 by Christiane Bartels
Mesmerising from start to finish
Love in the time of Cholera is one of my favourite books and I was scared to see the film as it might spoil it. Read more
Published on 31 July 2009 by Ms. Helen Collins
moving and emotional
'Love in the time of cholera' is not just a love story. It is the story of second chances, of opportunities missed and of a willingness to be courageous. Read more
Published on 1 May 2009 by Donald M. Macdonald
Good
I haven't read the book but I really enjoyed this film, beautifully staged and shot, the sparing use of dialogue adds to it's charm.
Published on 31 Mar 2009 by A. M. Golding
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