Titreenp
SERIOUSLY. This is what the crap Hollywood still puts out?
Lollivan
It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.
Tayloriona
Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.
Roxie
The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;
moviemaster
I don't know what all the ravings about. If people think this is good, they should subscribe to Telemundo and watch their telenovelas, for this is surely no better. We call it soap. And some American soap has more lather. The plot is acceptable. The acting is OK, for a soap. But there is no depth. We have one brother who runs a business (which we never see). a haus frau who has little to do but talk with her gay confidant, another brother that paints sometime (we never know when) the gay confidant who does nothing but pine for one of the brothers and a mother, who has lunch, because she seems to be perpetually out to lunch. That's about all we know about these people, except when they run into each other. We know as much about the maid as we do most of them. Fine screenplay writing requires showing the characters in depth so we can appreciate their dilemmas, there challenges, their triumphs, their failures. Zoe- she likes flowers, she likes midnight swims, she likes sex but is on a Sat. night diet,( she suspects her husband is gay since he'd rather do almost anything instead of sex with her (not a bright bulb), she wants a child, she loves phallic paintings, she hates Bach, she's dangerous with a microwave. Ignacio- he says he loves his wife but seems to love men also, works a lot, is rich, loves Bach, hates moonlight swims, and as for sex, never on a Sunday... or Monday... or Tues... or Wed... or Thurs... or Friday... with a woman. Gonzalo- is a stud, is very selfish, was molested by his brother (and is still haunted by it), likes to paint phallic symbols, doesn't want to work in the rumored factory, doesn't want to get married but does want lots of sex. The mother...merely drops in for lunch and useless chatter. Wants a grandson. The Maid... knows how to make breakfast and keep her mouth shut. If one wants to make a good movie, he has to devote a lot of care to the craft. There was no depth to this. It was just slopped together.
gradyharp
LA MUJER DE MI HERMANO seems to have polarized viewers between those who classify it as a television novela and those who see it as a stylish Latin American drama. Written by Peruvian author Jaime Bayly, adapted by María Eugenia Argomedo, and directed by Peruvian director Ricardo de Montreuil, the cast boasts actors from Peru (Christian Meier), Colombia (Manolo Cardona), Uruguay (Bárbara Mori), Venezuela (Gaby Espino), Chile (Beto Cuevas), and Mexico (Angélica Aragón, Bruno Bichir). It is a fine showcase for some of the fine talent from Latin America that is gaining a strong influence on theatrical films released in the USA. It offers a story embracing many current dilemmas in society (relationship to church, infidelity, illegitimate pregnancy, homosexuality, childhood sexual abuse) and blends them into a film acted by a fine cast of beautiful and talented actors and artists behind the camera, and the result is a luminous piece of cinema that deserves a second look.Ignacio (Meier) is a handsome, wealthy, emotionally cool man who is married to a sensuous, beautiful, sexually frustrated Zoe (Mori), The couple may appear to have it all - splendid house, wealth, expensive tastes - but they have been unable to have children in their ten year marriage. The disparity between their sexual needs results in Zoe finding solace in the arms of Ignacio's bohemian artist brother Gonzalo and they begin an affair that results in a surprise pregnancy. This crisis unveils the truth about the characters: Gonzalo, still reeling from the childhood sexual abuse by his older brother Ignacio, doesn't want fatherhood and marriage, and in the peak of the tremor the pregnancy creates Gonzalo shares Ignacio's homosexuality with Zoe. How the three confront their needs and fears pulls the story to a close, an ending that addresses fully the characteristic traits that have shaped the lives of the three.In addition to the trio of stars there are excellent cameos by Bruno Bichir as Zoe's gay confidant, Angélica Aragón as the mother of the men whose greatest need is for grandchildren, Gaby Espino as the housekeeper Laura, and Beto Cuevas as the priest who is not only a friend of the family but hears the secrets of each in the confessional. The cinematography is lush and evocative in the competent hands of Andrés Sánchez and the tension of the story is well underscored by the music of Angelo Milli. For this viewer LA MUJER DE MI HERMANO is a classy film that brings attention to the many fine new works coming from Latin American cinema. It is well worth revisiting. Grady Harp
geraldpeterson
Well, I must admit there may be some bias in my review because my cousin is one of the leading actors. But because of that I was even more prone to watch for mistakes or imperfections in the acting than I normally do when watching a movie. The first thing that must be said about this film is that the cinematography is excellent!! The attention to detail and framing that was put into every shot is manifest. Even just the opening sequence with the leaves floating in the pool was shot with a talent that is evident throughout the movie. The soundtrack is fine and subtle, blending well with the scenes and setting the appropriate mood. The acting was top rate - across the board - from the primary actors to the supporting cast down to the extras. Way to go cousin you did fantastic. The director definitely knew his story well and seamlessly planned out the path on which he would develop it. The situations and circumstances portrayed are perfectly believable. You truly find yourself engaged in the lives of these people. As the madness, guilt and predicaments gather up you can't help but feel pity for each character's weakness and just hope that in them lies some dormant strength they can muster to correct and recover their lives. This is a good drama film. And if you are in the mood for the steamy quandaries that people can get themselves into you will enjoy watching this movie. By the way, my cousin is Manolo Cardona; just in case you were curious.
Scouts-Out-19
It's about time that a Spanish film has made it to my local Loews (now AMC) movie theater. The quality of the movie was excellent. From the title we immediately know it's a love affair between a man, his wife, and his brother. Can you think of a better way to introduce drama? The previous commenter is 100% correct; you're on the edge of your seat wondering...omg what's going on? Is this really happening? No way!!! The plot keeps you going and wondering where is this leading us; what are they going to to; how can you possible resolve a situation like this?!The actors were all very beautiful people in their own respect and were immensely talented. They made me feel so warm with emotion and you were able to connect with them on a much higher level. It's normally very difficult for me to connect with characters but these people really made you feel their emotions. I absolutely love the fact that this movie was released in the US. Like I said...it's about time.You're absolutely going to enjoy this film. I can guarantee that it's better than 75% of the movies Hollywood released in the past 3 years. Don't ask me how I came up with that figure; I'm just that confident of this film.