Ein Leben für die Liebe

At the beginning of this affair, a voiceover by 11 year old George (R.J. Williams) who is being stored by his touring actress mother (Elizabeth Ashley) for a summer's duration in Spain with her father Mauricio (Anthony Quinn), a rakish painter, indicates that the boy's training in the ways of the world will be of primary interest, but the episodic screenplay produces more complications than can be successfully handled by a storyline. Living beneath the same roof with Mauricio and his grandson is the artist's attendant and closest friend Basillo (a completely miscast Ray Walston) and he and George quickly take places in the plot's background as Mauricio gambols with several attractive women, Quinn - now substantially older and puffier - reprising his Zorba persona as mentor to George. This film is picturesque, made along the Costa Brava and other regions of Spain, but the script stutters about so that no character seems very important, with the acting being uneven - Ashley overdramatic as is her wont, Maud Adams seemingly only distantly involved in the proceedings and a winning performance from Shari Shattuck, normally cast for her obvious physical attributes alone - while the direction fails to bring life into the goings-on, and post-production is marked by particularly atrocious sound mixing and dubbing, there being apparent problems occurring with the effects track.

This is an uncommon movie. It shows us the events and outlook on life of an eccentric painter, representing the freedom of spirit, and its influence in a young boy (his grandson) who's left in his care during his mother's acting tour. Some clashes take place between the young boy, the grandfather and the daughter, that are inevitable, but very well acted and presented. I feel the movie is like a story of growth, maturation and learning more than anything else, and as such, is a process that is disorderly at best, and its portrayed that way. Acting is solid. Anthony Quinn's portrayal of the eccentric painter is full of energy, of passion and extremely believable. Ray Walston is his usual solid character actor, and his rendering of Basilio is so lovable. R.J. Williams, as the kid, shows a good performance, even though sometimes overacted. The photography is stunning, the supporting cast is extremely solid, and the script is easy to follow and understand. Only complain, is the editing, with some large leaps from one scene to another, that could get you lost if you haven't been keen on paying close attention. A beautifully symbolic piece, easily enjoyable, and perfect for a quite afternoon at home with your loved one.