Manolete

I'm not really into Spain or bullfighting. So if this this movie just appealed at first for the dynamic Penélope, finally, it totally hooks me.

The first great thing is the talent of Adrian Brody. It's true as Pené said that he the most beautiful ugly man but he exudes such humanity that he is also the most underrated actor! Here, he is totally convincing as a legendary sportsman and shy boyfriend.

Next, the director (a newcomer for me) is talented as well: he has a great "eye" and offers totally stunning and poetic visuals: I like how he plays with Spain flag, with the washing as the red cape for the bull. He does the same parallel with love and bullfight. At the end, the use of revolving doors enhances a lot the drama. His cinematography is vivid, full of colors and we can really appreciate the Spanish culture (thus, I realized that it keeps its Arabic history as well).

At last, the two big themes (passion, bullfight) are depicted like a mystic experience. It's not just a simple romance but a burning love and bullfight is beyond sport, it's a tradition. So, as our two lovers are passionate but also defective, the movie heads full speed at a tragedy and the editing is totally right as it ticks like a clock, balancing with the past and present.

It's true that my French DVD is only 88 minutes and the movie is dynamic without time-out.

In conclusion, it's a superb surprise and I urge even the anti bullfight to watch it because it's not a absurd slaughter!

... and nothing more. sure, it is a nice film. and a not bad homage to a great matador. but the coherence of story is absent. the roots of story - reduced at sketches. the love story, the dramatic love story, only as occasion for remind slices from soap opera. and the only problem is, in fact, the cast. Adrien Brody deserves a better script. Penelope Lopez has the science to give more than a series character. something fundamental is wrong in this case. and this is all.

Nice costumes and great actors do not make a movie great. A good story does. Too bad the original writer, Bill Crown, was bumped out of the process by those who hijacked the project. I guess Karma decided the fate of the film.

1200 pages of research were prepared but obviously not used. This is a story about a real man living in real times. Taking poetic liberties is fine, but there has to be authenticity for a film like this to work.

Brody hot off his Oscar was perfectly suited to the role. Penelope Cruise, wisely selected as the love interest also internationally recognized, should have brought forth faithful followers. A formula that would have worked had not the intentions of the story been skewed so far off mark.

Pretty disappointing. I came in knowing nothing of bullfighting or the life of Manolete and I left knowing a little more of Manolete and no more about bullfighting.

The film was slow and uncertain about its focus. Brody and Cruz who I think are exceptional actors in other works are flat and have zero chemistry. Brody in particular made the protagonist quite unlikeable and difficult to root for. It's beautifully shot but feels like it's missing crucial parts. It did succeed in peaking my interest though, the seeds of a fascinating world and a fascinating relationship were sown and I bought a book about Manolete.

I don't understand the bad reviews. Perhaps its because A MATADOR'S MISTRESS taps into psychological sexual themes that are too close to home for some viewers? Penelope Cruises persona as the only person who truly understood Manolete (Adrian Brody) is a very deep concept. Too deep for most viewers I guess. Brilliantly played out and a must watch.