Love in the Time of Cholera [DVD]

Product Details

• Actors: Javier Bardem, Benjamin Bratt, Liev Schreiber
• Directors: Mike Newell
• Format: PAL
• Region: Region 2 (This DVD may not be viewable outside Europe. Read more about DVD formats.)
• Number of discs: 1
• Classification: 15
• Studio: Momentum Pictures Home Entertainment
• DVD Release Date: 14 July 2008
  

By : Javier Bardem (Actor), Benjamin Bratt (Actor), Mike Newell (Director)|Rated:Suitable for 15 years and over|Format: DVD
Price : £2.99

Customer Reviews

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.

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.

 

Love in the Time of Cholera [DVD]