Gloria Bell

If you are under 25 you may not "get" this movie but once you have experienced more of life this movie will certainly have more meaning. And in the future when you talk about this, and you will, do be kind!

Director Sebastián Lelio reprises his Chilean cinematic success GLORIA, and with the help of Alice Johnson Boher's adaptation of his own screenplay, gives us GLORIA BELL.

The story is as complex in psychological insights as it is simple in storyline. Gloria Bell (Julianne Moore) is divorced, alone, working a boring insurance job, with children growing away, ad finds herself frequenting dance clubs/bars. She hungers for romance and almost accidentally finds it in divorced Arnold (John Turturro). The manner in which they court is at once tentative and aggressive: Arnold feels compelled to 'be there' for his two grown unemployed girls and allows that situation to alter his attention to Gloria, and Gloria wants it all. In an on again off again romance the problems of loneliness and aging take focus, and while the story is rather upbeat in stagecraft and flamboyant in sex scenes, the undertone is sad.

The cast includes actors/actresses who are in the age category the film addresses - Holland Taylor, Jeanne Tripplehorn, Rita Wilson, Brad Garrett, Chris Mulkey - as well as some fine young cast members. The story focuses on Los Angeles nightclubs and Las Vegas glitz and the action is swift and well focused, especially by Julianne Moore, who proves she can inhabit this sad role credibly, enhancing the impact of the aging and lonely but beautiful single woman stance. A comedy it isn't, but the film offers insight into a realm of the population who continue to seek elusive love.

Sebastian Lelió returns to remake one of his own films in this breezy and free-spirited comedy. While not perfect, it's an enjoyable movie that first and foremost functions as a character study. Moore plays the titular role, a divorcee in her 50's living in California and attempting to break out of her shell. The film is properly paced and never feels too long or too short. Its script is simple yet subversive, eventually creating an impact on the viewer that will have them thinking long after the credits roll. The film's acting is consistently strong, especially Julianne Moore. She's terrific, and manages to convey both a genuine sense of intuition and a vivacious sense of loving life at the same time. Also noteworthy is John Tuturro in the film's most prominent supporting part. He manages to play his role with a simple gravitas that helps viewers inspect the subtleties behind his character's development. Speaking of character development, the lack of development of Moore's character by standards of a character study is a slight flaw in this movie. While we spend so much time with Moore over the film's duration and see much of her day-to-day life, this does not necessarily equate to character development. Quality character development, after all, is about connecting the past of a character to his or her present and future.

The film also has some moments that feel mildly redundant from time to time. It feels in these moments that Lelió wanted to connect some of the fibers of the plot together to increase significance of the juxtaposition of several scenes, but unfortunately he ends up missing the mark attempting that. However, this is overall an entertaining dramedy for those of us who like the cast. It's not too complex at face value, but is definitely entertaining for the most part. And the soundtrack (an eclectic mix of classic disco tunes) can't be beat either. Recommended. 7/10

The movie will appeal to an adult, mature audience, and to sensitive souls. A glossy, visually stunning portrait of solitude and the many obstacles to true bonding and communication. Ms Moore is fantastic as usual, mesmerizing and gorgeous. There is subtle beauty everywhere - lights and photography, camera angles, screenplay lines, superb acting. Great songs add to a very rewarding experience.

Story is stretched too thin and familiar. Plight of characters not particularly engaging or interesting. Main lead brings an extra layer to the film. Pacing issues.