Movie: Patagonia.

[sylviane]

So, I finally managed to see it. Got it in the mail today. Wow, it had been quite a long time ago since I actually sat down to watch a movie, rather than just have a movie play in the background, continue blogging, emailing, playing sudokus or anything else and only watch when the music points out that things are getting 'interesting'. :)

And this wasn't only because the entire movie is in Welsh/Spanish (and I speak neither language, so I'm depending on actually reading the subtitles)  but also because the movie is quite captivating. I sincerely wanted to sit through it and find out what would happen and when it finished I sort of wanted a sequel to find out what will happen to the characters I grew to care for. :) 

I really liked all the characters (well, except maybe the husband, who really neede someone to punch some sense into him, but I could also see his POV) and what I loved in this movie were not just for the spoken words, but also for daring to have silence. There's nothing wrong with NOT having people make noise and chatter aimlessly, even though they have nothing to say..  just because of this idea that a silence makes viewers uncomfortable.

Of course, I'm not going to lie, my first reason for watching this movie naturally is Matthew Rhys, who played Mateo. There's something refreshingly wonderful to see/hear him speak Welsh. As usual, Matthew can create a character that makes me forget about  other characters he played, so I can watch Mateo, without immediately thinking "Oh, Kevin Walker" and he DOES look amazing. :)

*****

  

*****


The other characters that really held my attention were Cerys and Alejandro, because of the odd pairing and the affection that was visibly between them. I didn't know what to expect from Duffy, who I admire as a singer, but I liked her and she felt genuine to me. I wasn't suprised by Nia Roberts, having seen her in the movie Solomon and Gaenor (with Matthew's friend Ioan Gruffudd),  I knew she'd be good.  

It may not have been some blockbuster movie, but I loved this movie anyway. The views of Patagonia and Wales are amazing, the acting is great, it's shot very warmly and I have no regrets buying it. :)

Comments

[darkestboy.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen Patagonia but I will try and catch up with it at some point.

Thanks for the review, marea.

[marea67.livejournal.com]

You're welcome. :) I really liked this movie, but I don't think it's the kind of thing I would have chosen to watch, if it hadn't been for Matthew, but now that I have seen it, I guess the characters were interesting enough and I would have enjoyed it even if Matthew hadn't been in it.

[semisweetsoul.livejournal.com]

If you're looking for silence in a movie, pick any French film. They're so overused in French movies, it hurts, which is a shame cause a really well-placed silence can be so powerful.

I'm glad you liked the film. The pictures are gorgeous, in any case.

[marea67.livejournal.com]

I agree. The Dutch have that same idea, thinking it's 'artistic' to have long silences (3 minutes of an old woman walking through a room, re-arranging things, with no other sound than the clock ticking. Seriously.) But, having watched quite some English and American movies lately, I found myself saying so often: "Why don't you just shut up?". So, I appreciated the silences. :)

[semisweetsoul.livejournal.com]

In French films, it's someone looking in emptiness, or the pointless sex scene that comes out of nowhere. *cries*

There's a reason I know nothing about French cinema in general!

[laira26.livejournal.com]

Just watched the film. I agree with you that the movie is really captivating and I wanted it to continue too and to know what will happen to the characters in the future.

I also love that the movie is in Welsh and Spanish, I love the Argentinian accent and is wonderful to hear the characters speaking Welsh.

On a shallow way, Matthew is really gorgeous in this movie :) I think in this film he is the hottest I've ever seen him.

About the characters my favorite is Alejandro, very funny and sweet and I agree that what I liked most is the odd pairing Cerys and Alejandro made and their visibly affection.

SPOILERS-----
About the character of Matthew it's a pitty that he is the least defined on the film. I didn't understand his motivations for seducing Nia Robert's character. Is it that he fell in love with her or is he only an irresponsible "playboy"?

I liked the main couple and I felt bad for both of them during all the film, especially for the husband having to watch his wife flirting with Mateo during all the first part of the movie. What do you mean about the husband needing someone to punch some sense into him? Is it because he didn't get that she is the one who can't have children?

Overall, I liked the movie very much and I think it's very enjoyable. I also loved the photography and the landscapes.

[marea67.livejournal.com]

*** What do you mean about the husband needing someone to punch some sense into him? Is it because he didn't get that she is the one who can't have children? ***

Nope, it was the not seeing that she was reaching out to HIM, wanting HIM to notice her. I wanted to smack him for not SEEING it.

And when she asked him to go with her to that festival/fiesta/thing, he just shrugged her off. I get that he has to work, but jeez, he couldn't give her two or three hours to unwind after hanging around all day, having not much to do? I can understand that she felt rather unloved and unwanted by him.

And when he left, he couldn't even have left her a note saying where he was going?

I'm not saying she was right in cheating, but he made his own mistakes and then acted (I felt) as if he was the innocent victim in all this. Even when Mateo came to tell him that she was NOT with him, but had left, he was still unforgiving.

That is why I would have loved it to see more. I would have wanted to know if/how they get back together, but also I would have loved to see more of Mateo and I would like to know if Alejandro goes back to that girl played by Duffy. I feel like it was unfinished.

[pocacat.livejournal.com]

*cover eyes with hands* I'm not getting spoiled about this *peek between fingers* because I haven't got my DVD yet... *peek again* ... Marea!! It's your fault!!! *hands off now*

[walkersfics.livejournal.com]

I wathed last night, i will actually rite a post. I do agree with you about he silence, especially alejandro's and cerys'. those two stole my heart although the ending of their story was a bit unbelievable, i mean, won't alejandro have some explaining to do? but it was beautiful.

i probably wouldn't have watche it if it wasn't for matthew but unlike you, i kept seeing kevin in every face expression but that is my issue and i need to work on it.

i do want to move to either patagonia or wales.