La mujer de mi hermano

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.

While the cinematography is decent and the actors are top notch, the story is one that could be fit into a 15-20 minute short film. It's not just that it drags, it's also predictable as all get out and devoid of any substance -- it's literally a story that's been done to death on Lifetime. An even bigger let down is the lack of nudity when the subject is sex. Movies are meant to entertain; usually all it takes is a good story, but if I were the producer I would have pushed hard for more nudity to make sure the viewer doesn't turn it off for something more erotic.

Erotically-charged pot boiler has exotic beauty Barbara Mori yearning for love and passion from her cold and seemingly unfeeling husband (Christian Meier). They both want children, but it seems that Meier is unable to impregnate his wife. The fact that Meier will literally only make love to his wife on Saturday nights and would rather pleasure himself adds to their marital tension. Soon Mori starts hanging out with Meier's younger artist brother (Manolo Cardona). It appears immediately that their relationship is going beyond what it should. The womanizing Cardona (who makes it clear to girlfriend Gaby Espino that he is not interested in anything having to do with marriage or children) quickly starts his routine with Mori and she begins to fall for him as friction grows by leaps and bounds between the two brothers. Mori finds solace with gay friend Bruno Bichir who seems to be the most reliable male influence in her chaotic life. Soon everything becomes heated and complicated with Mori in the middle of an emotional firestorm that is about to consume all the players found within. Present fireworks are also met with past family secrets that come to the forefront. "La Mujer De Mi Hermano" ("My Brother's Wife") is a highly interesting feature-length soap opera (which actually makes sense considering Mori and Meier's professional backgrounds) that works due to Jaime Bayly's dominant script concerning failed Catholicism (priest Beto Cuevas being a major role player here) and forced family obligations in the Hispanic world (from Angelica Aragon who yearns for grandchildren from her two sons). First-time feature director Ricardo de Montreuil has a firm grasp on his story and he is not afraid to let Mori (who is breathtakingly gorgeous) dominate the action and be the central focus. An international flair all the way as the United States, Mexico, Peru, Chile and Colombia all had a hand in the final product. While flawed, it still produces sparks and definitely an extreme heat. 4 stars out of 5.

Without writing boring redundant reviews and quotes. I would simply say I watch dozens of movies on a monthly basis, and this is the first "Subtitled" movie I've ever watched from beginning to end.

I was simply hypnotized, and before I knew it, the movie was over.

It did have a few predictable scenes but hey what movie doesn't. It could have been a little longer to enlighten or explain a few things like the husbands background, but oh well...

This is a movie very definitely worth your time. I'd recommend watching it with your better half whomever that may be.:)

I'm going to buy this one and watch it again. Another first for me.

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