Gloria Bell – a movie review by Roz Tarszisz
Having reviewed the original version of this film, Gloria, over five years ago, I wondered why director Sebastian Lelio shot it again. He says because Julianne Moore wanted to do it and that for him, it is a film about feelings – Gloria’s and our own.
It has been reworked it slightly but the story remains faithful in intent to the original.
Paulina Garcia who starred in the original was rather feral. Moore by her very looks is more refined although I don’t hold that against her and she is almost as free-spirited. She brings her own, less earthy charm to the story of a middle-aged divorcee who knows where to go in modern Los Angeles to meet men best suited to her vintage. She likes a drink and loves to dance.
“When the world blows up, I hope I go down dancing” sums up her joy of music and movement.
Gloria doesn’t see as much of her children as she would like. Daughter Anne (Caren Pistorius) teaches yoga and the wife of son Peter (Michael Cera) appears to have left both husband and baby.
She meets Arnold (John Turturro) and he falls hard and fast for her as they enjoy all the early stages of a new romance. Arnold has been divorced for a year but is still very much involved in the lives of his two adult daughters.
The first crack in the romance appears when he walks out on a dinner party given by Peter without notice or explanation. Arnold appears uncomfortable when Gloria’s ex-husband Dustin (Brad Garrett) hands around photos of their wedding.
The lovers eventually reunite and go to Las Vegas together. But Arnold is unable to shake off the shackles of his marriage and needs of his daughters. He does the unforgivable and Gloria takes her revenge in a most satisfactory way.
Lelio is attuned to current mores and attitudes and has again drawn a detailed portrait of a modern woman with all her strengths and flaws.
3.5/5 Rated M 101 mins 2018 Released April 25
Starring Julianne Moore, John Turturro
Directed and written by Sebastian Lelio
