Sam's Blog - Gloria

I think there's a universal fear that women have that one day they'll find that
they've grown old and become a lonely cat lady. Not that there's anything wrong with that -- except for the loneliness part -- but society has taught us that there are certain expectations with age, and one of those expectations is that when women grow older, they pair themselves off with a nice man and settle down.

In Sebastian Lelio's film, we meet a delightful character who doesn't give a damn about expectations.

Years after her divorce, Gloria, a 50-something, extroverted and confident mother, has decided that sometimes all she needs is just a little fun. She occasionally goes dancing by herself at the nightclub, striking up conversations with strangers and quickly finding dance partners. And while she seems to enjoy herself, it is clear that she is still lonely underneath it all. Her desire for company and attention is pronounced by the voicemails she leaves on her son and daughter's phones.

But her luck seems to change when one night she meets a man. Rodolfo is an ex-naval officer who has recently gone through a divorce; there is an air of uncertainty about him that makes him immediately likeable, at least as far as Gloria is concerned. They hit it off, and soon find themselves wrapped up in a passionate relationship, complete with dancing, paintball and bungee jump dates, and sexual enjoyment... but Gloria's new squeeze is not entirely the perfect man; the incessant ringing of his cell phone is a blatant flag that he is still deeply attached to his ex-wife and needy, fully grown but immature daughters. As Gloria deals with the problems that arise, it is very easy for us to relate with her conflict between between being with someone who frustrates her and being alone.

What is so great about this film is that it encapsulates a strong female character: she still has her faults and character flaws -- she may smoke and drink a little too much, she has a history of poor taste in men, etc. -- but she is still a spunky, loving, altogether likable character. Gloria is a breath of fresh air to an audience who sees countless stories of young love and Hollywood-driven stereotypes... she teaches us to love who we are, including our faults and insecurities.

Overall, this is definitely a film to watch. Come see it this week at the Midtown Cinema!