Gloria Bell

Gloria is a fifty-something long-term divorcée, with two grown-up children and with a subdued professional life. She's even a young granny since a short time. In short, all lights are red. It's only missing menopause... And then arrives Arnold, a charming guy who turns out to be stuck within a castrating environment. This film is desperately pessimistic, despite the manifold disco hits, and reminds the universal difficulty of 'rebuilding' its life, following a divorce with child(ren). The duo Julianne Moore + John Turturro is stunning, knowing that Julianne Moore is gorgeous, as usual.

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

I am not familiar with the original Gloria, directed by the same filmmaker, Sebastian Lelio. However, I'm a fan of what I've seen from Lelio. Liked Disobedience quite a bit, hard not to love a film with a forbidden love affair between Rachel McAdams and Rachel Weisz at the forefront. A Fantastic Woman was also a really engrossing effort, with all eyes on leading star Daniela Vega. Here we have a film about Julianne Moore living her life and having fun each step of the way. Sold.

The film follows the life of Gloria Bell. She tries to remain chipper and upbeat even when she experiences trouble with her family and a newfound love in her life. According to her she would go down dancing should the world ever end. We see Gloria primarily trying to find love but its difficult when she puts herself out there but has to deal with the troubles the man brings. The film also stars Michael Cera and John Turturro.

This film lives and dies with Julianne Moore in her performance as Gloria Bell. Everything you see and feel is through her character. She absolutely embodies the character entirely. Shes great in it. You can tell that Moore is having the time of her life being Gloria. The film resonates because it shows a person who keeps busy in her later years but still finds the need to go out and find love. She's living the common struggles of people these days.

I have no note of comparison as I have not seen the original but you get a strongly portrayed female lead, who is living it up in the modern world. Its a very realistic portrayal of a character that you may know in your everyday life. Its a mostly happy and free spirited comic work by Lelio a bit of a change of pace from what I've seen from him but a worthy watch.

7/10

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.

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.