"El Brindis" has chosen one of the most charming locations ever: Valparaiso, Chile. Also, the cinematography is impeccable, though it is sadly very straightforward (there was a great deal of metaphorical potential). But the real downside of this movie is the fact that it shies away from emotion. Every time there is an opportunity for emotions to explode, we are taken away from it, left to assume what the visceral exchange was about and how it played out. When the protagonist learns that the man she is falling for is married, no scene devoted to her reactions. When she finally decide to let herself go, we don't get to see how the couple gets close, how they bridge the gap and finally establish physical contact... instead we cut to the scene in which they're already having sex. The rabbi is supposedly having a huge life crisis, but we always get to see him very comfortable among his community. "El Brindis" had a lot to work with, but it seems it was more important for the director to keep it light-hearted.
2 Reviews
nice shots...
janschrander22 February 2009
Well,
watched this movie with my wife (she's from Chile), but although the camera work was nice, the story wasn't convincing. Daughter visiting dad who's doing his bar mitswa, she with relational problems, the rabbi with relational problems, well it just wasn't running on the right tracks... The shots of Valparaiso are very nice, better then in real life!
Also the friction between the rabbi, who wants to leave for Santiago de Chile, and the community leader isn't worked out in depth, just a mear comment. And then the separation of the father and daughter isn't bringing the frustration one would expect, being the cold shoulder she gives here father in the beginning. I gave it a 6 because of the nice footage of Valparaiso and Chile, the story the movie should tell is still there to be found....pity
I personally think this movie could have shed more light on the Jewish community in Chile, since they opted to use the word Goj in this movie.... For me as a non-Jew that would have been more interesting to see!
For me this movie was neither comedy nor drama, but just a lengthy seat. Too bad!
watched this movie with my wife (she's from Chile), but although the camera work was nice, the story wasn't convincing. Daughter visiting dad who's doing his bar mitswa, she with relational problems, the rabbi with relational problems, well it just wasn't running on the right tracks... The shots of Valparaiso are very nice, better then in real life!
Also the friction between the rabbi, who wants to leave for Santiago de Chile, and the community leader isn't worked out in depth, just a mear comment. And then the separation of the father and daughter isn't bringing the frustration one would expect, being the cold shoulder she gives here father in the beginning. I gave it a 6 because of the nice footage of Valparaiso and Chile, the story the movie should tell is still there to be found....pity
I personally think this movie could have shed more light on the Jewish community in Chile, since they opted to use the word Goj in this movie.... For me as a non-Jew that would have been more interesting to see!
For me this movie was neither comedy nor drama, but just a lengthy seat. Too bad!
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