"Cholera" Getting Dissed Left and Right

Fri30Nov2007

"Cholera" Getting Dissed Left and Right

We had high hopes for the film version of Garcia Marquez's classic novel Love in the Time of Cholera. I mean it stars Javi Bardem! And while I was all revved up to see it tonight, I am flaking at the last minute. The reviews are so very gruesome that I don't feel like ruining my entire weekend lamenting how they've massacred a great book. Salon gently recommends: "Gabriel García Márquez fans -- and pretty much everyone else -- should avoid this stink bomb like the plague." Whoa.

It gets worse:

Forget the exhausted argument that no movie adaptation can ever match the pleasure of reading: Once fans of Latin American novelist Gabriel García Márquez get a load of the stink-burger Newell has made out of this much-adored book, there'll be rioting, firebombs and general mayhem. Or at least many indignant snorts.

The New York Times was a bit more subtle, but still not very generous:

Faithful to the outline of the novel but emotionally and spiritually anemic, it slides into the void between art and entertainment, where well-intended would-be screen epics often land with a thud.

At least in that review, Javi gets props.

So I won't be checking it out tonight. I'll rely on you readers with a stronger stomach to tell me what you think of it. Leave your reviews in the comments section and please convince that I am making a mistake.

Via / Salon and NY Times

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Jennifer

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1. Princess of Peace ~ Saturday, Dec 01 2007 | 10:25H:

I think that the critics have been too harsh on the film. It is visually beautiful and it boasts some terrific performance with Bardem at the top of the list. Is it the book. No, but how many films are the books? Would it have been better if it were in Spanish? Possibly, but who knows. Anyway, I would check it out and decide for yourself. But if you don't see it on the big screen then do see it on DVD at least.

2. Jennifer Woodard Maderazo ~ Saturday, Dec 01 2007 | 13:26H:

Thanks for the comment. I think it's quite possible also that people have come to expect too much in the buildup since it's such a fabulous book. I will definitely check it out on DVD if I don't see it in theatres.

As for Bardem, I saw him last night in No Country for Old Men and he -- and the movie -- was amazing.

3. Princess of Peace ~ Sunday, Dec 02 2007 | 12:26H:

Yes, I believe that people wanted the film version of Cholera to be the book and that can never be no matter who directed it.

And, yes, Bardem and No Country are fantastic!

VivirLatino