Robert Joyner
The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one
Stephan Hammond
It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,
Myron Clemons
A film of deceptively outspoken contemporary relevance, this is cinema at its most alert, alarming and alive.
willcundallreview
Gloria is a comedy drama that has a deep emotional level running right through it, and also a great advertisement for Chilean film. With a strong lead performance(winning awards in the process), and writing and directing not seen in the mainstream, of course until now, Gloria is just a strange celebration of life but also shows what some go through even when they live fairly well. I felt it was strongly a pretty good movie, and here below is why so.The story as said is a deep level of personal emotion and delves straight into the life of Gloria, the whole story basically revolves around her and her day to day life but also her love life and all that comes with it. At times it can be a little funny if not quite dark humour actually, the funniest parts I would say are toward the end and you will see why but this movie never tries to make you laugh, just watch in wonder at Gloria's life.Paulina Garcia as Gloria is very good, I can see just why she won many accolades for her performance and she commands the role in a graceful yet oddly powerful way. I also enjoyed Sergio Hernandez as Rodolfo, he as well as Garcia commands his character and so when you think back on who gave a great performance, these two really stick out. I liked the way it didn't need massive names to attract attention, it never wanted it but I can see why it got it(and it's good attention).Sebastian Lelio directs and co writes this with a fair bit of ease and even when the film can seem slow and arduous, he comes up with something to bring more life to it, it's as if he kills and then straight away brings back to life. Sometimes it could be said due to the subtitles that it is hard for the emotion to fully come across, I did feel it just a little but by the end you should be at the same level of emotion as the characters involved.My main criticism is it's dull parts, to a hardened critic of straight drama and art house international type work this will seem a walk in the park but for me it has those slightly duller moments which all together, affect the movies score. When you finish you may feel as if "I didn't enjoy that too much but there isn't much to poke holes at" and it is true, very little is wrong other than occasional dullness.If you think this is a Romcom then think again, it isn't about the romance as it is about Gloria struggling to find everything she wants and what she has to deal with day to day. It is a good piece of international work and receiver of many nominations, so if you are looking for a kind of indie made award winner then here you have it.Overall it is Fairly Good and although I didn't think it was just Good, it is very close to being so. I will add that this film is well timed, doesn't overstay it's welcome and lets you enjoy what is has to offer. Maybe the word enjoy is not the word to connect this movie and the audience, a critique for the audience is what it is, showing as previously said many times now, a snapshot of Gloria's life and what she has,wants and gets, just a pretty good drama piece.
connie_huante
I saw this film on a fluke last night and found it surprisingly enjoyable. I thought Paulina Garcia was excellent in her portrayal of the middle- aged, divorced "Gloria" attempting to find herself now that her kids are grown and have lives of their own. Her "romantic" encounter is pretty heartbreaking and realistically portrayed. I thought the film was a great character analysis of the challenges that the new "golden aged" generation in many Western countries deal with; a bit of isolation (as kids grow and start their own families), conflicting loyalties to lovers versus family (for those that are divorced), commitment to work, finding how to fit in as older adults, in a youthful and rapidly changing society.
Connie Starkovs
I enjoyed the realism of this movie and the depiction of a woman close to my age who was still very attractive despite having some flaws and showing some aging. It kept my attention the entire movie despite some slow scenes. It could have been a little peppier. I think she needed to talk more. I didn't get the sense of her children's characters either. It was hard to know what the characters were thinking or why they did certain things.To me it was disappointing that she was so insensitive to her new lover's lingering attachment to his family. Having only been recently divorced, he was understandably still close to them. I thought it was sweet the way he tried to help his children even if they were quite selfish. He was also very sweet and romantic with Gloria, and wow, there aren't that many men like that out there. In my opinion she was a complete fool to make him choose abruptly to end his previous life of so many years for someone he just met. As well she was very insensitive to him at her own family dinner. The explicit sex scenes were also kind of over the top for me with the full frontal nudity etc. I have to give her credit for being so uninhibited. She seemed very kind and strong, but at the same time kind of self-centered, so not as appealing of a character as I wanted. I liked the first half and I guess I was hoping for a happier movie overall.
Red-125
Gloria (2013/II) is a Chilean movie co-scripted and directed by Sebastián LelioPaulina García portrays Gloria, a divorced middle-aged woman who is free to live the lifestyle she desires. She likes to go to dance clubs after work, and, if a man shows interest, she's happy to respond.Gloria does, indeed, meet a man. He appears to be perfect for her--handsome, divorced, the right age, and the right background. However, complications arise.This is an excellent movie because Paulina García is the perfect actor for the role. Her acting ability is wonderful. Although Gloria is quite attractive, she's in her fifties, and looks it. Apparently, Ms. García hasn't gone the Hollywood route of multiple plastic surgeries. She's an attractive 53-year-old woman playing an attractive 53-year-old woman. That makes the film both interesting and believable. We saw this movie in a theater, but it will work well on DVD. (It's a film about interpersonal relationships, not scenic grandeur or spectacular effects.) The movie has an IMDb rating of 7.0, which isn't bad, but which isn't great. Don't be deterred by the rating. This is definitely a film that's worth seeing!
