A great feel-good type of film. Campanella lives up to promise and delivers yet again, as he dives head first into the story of a forty-something going through a mid-life crisis. Ricardo Darin (Rafael Belvedere) shows us why he's one of South America's biggest stars as he puts in a performance to rival "Nine Queens" (another great Argentinian film). He's complemented by Natalia Verbeke who plays his girlfriend (and who is in possession of the world's greatest smile) and Héctor Alterio and Norma Aleandro who play his parents. Aleandro in particular contributes some magnificent scenes, playing an aged woman struggling to cope with mental illness. A really good film that will restore your faith in humanity....A bit corny?? oh well.... Funny, original, and well put together. Recommended for everyone!!
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alessioman_2225 May 2005
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Franco-2319 November 2002This is a real jewel from Argentina... at a time when some viewers are knowing Latin American film making through tasteless stories, I highly recommend "El hijo de la novia". The story is full of discovery and emotions. It touches the importance of the family and the values, it deals with serious issues with a touch of humor, and a lot of class. The rhythm of the story is well balanced and the characters are very real and likeable. Don't miss it! (9/10)
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Rafael Belvedere (Ricardo Darín) runs a restaurant started by his parents, Nino (Héctor Alterio) and Norma (Norma Aleandro). While he has made it a success, a corporate buyer who wants to buy the restaurant observes that the extreme effort required to keep all of the plates spinning is like running a marathon. He is divorced and, with the constant cell phone calls and sleepless nights, doesn't seem to have much time for his daughter or girlfriend, although he seems to have genuine affection for both. He hasn't visited his mother Norma, who is in a nursing home with Alzheimer's, in a year. As the previews and the title reveal, his father Nino decides that what he wants most of all is to give Norma the church wedding she always wanted, although many wonder if she would even notice due to her mental state.
The wedding and other story turns which I won't give away help the film turn gracefully from mostly a comedy in the early going into an outstanding drama in the later parts of the film. The performances are excellent by all of the actors, helping to make all of the characters seem real. While the photography is often attractive, I would not be surprised if the film was shot on 16 mm film or even high definition video and transferred to 35 mm film for exhibition.
This film was nominated for an Academy Award for best foreign film, which should have given it a higher profile than it seems to have gotten. It is highly recommended, and should not lose too much seen on home video, assuming it eventually shows up there.
Note that the star, Ricardo Darín, also stars in "Nine Queens," which is opening very soon in the United States. -
armstrongd_uk8 May 2005My wife 'found' this film, of which I hadn't heard, in our local video shop and I'm so delighted she did.
The central performance of Rafael was a tour de force - this actor stands very strong beside the likes of Pacino, and I can imagine him in many of the earlier 'gangster with hidden depth' roles the latter excelled in. He was so believable as the 'godfather' neighbourhood restaurateur. The other principal actors were also brilliant, although in my opinion Eduardo Blanco as the comedic interest overegged and hammed a little too much in a couple of scenes, eg as bogus priest. But that is nitpicking in one of the most memorable romantic films I've ever seen.
I totally agree with one of the reviewers who compared and contrasted to the dreadful film travesty made of 'The Notebook'recently which missed all the buttons around Alzheimers and real people with real believable feelings and reactions. I also agree that while if this product had been American with J Nicholson, etc it would have been a surefire Oscar winner, it would actually have been ruined by the Hollywood treatment...
Thanks you Argentina, and I hope to see much more of Senor Darin before long. -
YouRebelScum5 September 2003Very sweet mid-life crisis movie from Argentina starring the brilliant
Ricardo Darín from 'Nine Queens'. Darin plays Rafael, a driven
restaurant owner who's stressed lifestyle and continuous intake of
ristrettos and cigarettes earns him a heart attack. Lying in his
hospital bed he resolves to start 'a new cycle', simplifying his life.
This proves harder than he expects. Gorgeous younger girlfriend
Nat wants commitment, ex-wife Sandra heaps scorn on his
neuroses and his dapper father wants financial help in enacting a
touching gesture to his wife of 44 years: a proper wedding
ceremony.
Rafael is assisted in meeting these challenges by the appearance
of an old friend, Juan Carlos. Played with memorable comic
energy by Eduardo Blanco (a kind of Argentine Roberto Benigni),
Juan Carlos' loyalty and friendship - and the story of his own
triumph over tragic life circumstances - helps Rafael understand
the treasure he possesses without appreciating it: family.
It may sound kind of soppy, and at moments 'Son of the Bride'
does teeter into sentimentality, but on the whole this is a
consistently entertaining movie, the best of its kind I've seen in a
long time. The film's script is very nearly brilliant, stuffed full of bon
mots and witty asides, from the Padre describing his new speaker
system as 'omnipresent' to Juan Carlos' Jesus-Christ-as-
Maradonna joke.
But its quality lies in more than just a list of gleaming one-liners
and 'zingy' exchanges. There's acres of depth here too, in passing
observations about the universality of corruption in modern day
Argentina, to wry observations about the hypocrisy of the church.
Campanella covers a lot of bases - much more so than comparable comedies from the US - without ever losing his
lightness of touch. It's this that raises 'Son of the Bride' above the
mass and makes it a movie that I'm actually very keen to see
again.
Impossible not to like, then, and if the ending doesn't leave you
with a tear in your eye, you're a heartless swine.
I actually caught 'Son of the Bride' last night in a double with 'Nine
Queens' -
cdvoice41528 June 2004I had seen this film for two times, at the first time I believed it one of the best movies I had ever seen alreadly. The story was very very funny and deeply moving.It's quite difficult to find this kind of films, because most of the films nowadays lose sight of the most important thing in a film--the real human emotion,the real lives, the real feelings, the real love.Most of the movies were too sweet,or too violent,or too erotic. The actors and actoresses all given the best performance,even the little girl--Ricado's daugther in the secens. I love it!It should have won the Oscar!
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Mozjoukine11 May 2003Great performers in an expertly mounted A feature. This one goes on too long but deserves to edge out the glossy English speaking movies which play to the same audience in the multiplexes.
The film is full of great players given the chance to do their stuff. Darin has the authority of a major leading man and it's a great pleasure to see already familiar veterans like Alterio and Aleandro in strong roles. Her spin on senility is a beautifully judged mix of touching and funny that the film needs to grab the broad public. Verbeke registers as an exceptionally vivid version of the sexy, winning fantasy girl that we keep on seeing in films.
If you want to argue that these characters are a distortion of real life you're in a different mind set to the makers and the fourteen dollars a seat customers they are playing to.
I enjoyed seeing this recognisable world of cell 'phones, old friends, resolved family tensions and gourmet food put across in an unfamiliar setting with superior film know how. It's like a good overseas holiday. The old Sascha Guitry gag of the security system picture or the finding the priest at the final wedding were worth the cheer they got at the performance I saw. -
jotix10011 April 2002This is a very good film from Argentina. It would be a shame if more people fail to see this beautiful tale set in the Buenos Aires of the beginning of the century when times were better and the porteños felt on top of the world.
Director Juan Jose Campanella knows these people. He is really on their side, for they have struggled all their lives to get the family restaurant to be successful. The son, Rafael, has problems making ends meet and his life is a mess. Not only his whole world comes crashing around him, but he cannot cope with the only person that really loves him for what he is, Naty.
His father, Nino, loves Norma, even though her mind is not here any more. He doesn't miss seeing her one day. He finally realizes, too late, that secretly Norma's desire was to have been married in the church, he didn't believe in during his youth. Now he wants to make amends by marrying the wife who cannot appreciate it because of her wandering mind.
The acting is superb. Ricardo Darin gives a fine performance as Rafael. Norma Aleandro proves once more why she's a great actress and Hector Alterio is very effective in a very subtle performance. Natalia Verbeke was a revelation as she stands by her man.
All in all, this was an enjoyable time at the movies. -
''El Hijo de la novia'' is a comedy about a stressed man called Rafael Belvedere that is full of responsibilities and problems in his life. He assumed the restaurant that his father founded and is always living in his shadow because of that.
The restaurant also demands his entire time, making him almost not have time for his mother( who suffers from Alzheimer) his daughter and even his girlfriend. One day, Rafael suffers a heart attack that compels him to think better about his life, making him realize how wrong he was doing many things. He also reunites with his childhood friend Juan Carlos, that becomes an important piece of his story, helping him to deal with many things that happens in his life.
I liked this movie because even having its predictable moments, deals with many themes in a more real way that many comedies usually does, like Rafael's and Naty's relationship or even his mother relationship with him. It is also a very sweet movie, since it is impossible to not like the cute relationship between Rafael's parents( Can you imagine how sweet is to be married for so many years and still be in love with the same person?).
The only I didn't like very much, was the fact that movie has some very slow moments that helped me to feel a little bored, but this is a person opinion, so, maybe many people will not even notice or care. -
This low budget movie is one of the few Argentine movies that I have seen so far. I was at first very skeptic about renting the movie, since I was not a very big fan of Argentine movies (I lived in Argentina all of my life). But when I came here, to Washington, D.C, my school offered it as part of an international movie fair. So I went to watch it. It is funny, and as the movie proceeded, I became homesick because of the different scenes of Argentine "barrios" and cultures which were brilliantly portrayed. One drawback to some people of this movie is that it is spoken in Argentine Spanish, which is one that confuses even native Spanish speakers from other countries. The jokes are very "Argentine" and if you do not appreciate those, I think that this movie is not for you. But what would be of your interest is the message of the movie. How he, Ricardo Darin, changes from being a self-absorbed middle-aged man to a family man who takes care of his parents and at the same time his own. The scene where he is arguing with his former wife is brilliant. The dialogue is full of Argentine culture, and it remind me of my own infancy. For example, when Ricardo Darin tells her that he wants to educate their daughter in Mexico, she replies "So, who is going to be her teacher? PROFESOR JIRAFALES?" Profesor Jirafales is a teacher that appears in the Chavo del Ocho, a Mexican sort of sitcom. Argentines were fed up with the characters of this show, and it was good to hear something like that, which invaded my infancy. Well, overall, this movie is great. I laughed, cried, and loved it. Although it is slow-paced, I believe it is appropriate for this movie, because think about it... WHO CHANGES FROM ONE DAY TO ANOTHER??? It shows his transition from being a "Me-man" to a "Everybody's man". This movie deserves a standing ovation!!! Now I am going to order this movie online. Make sure you do it too! enjoy!
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ximecazamata15 December 2011People always live a point of their life where they think they can't deal with their problems anymore, and suddenly an event changes their way of living. Although this is so common and cliché story, the director does manage to add some extra things to improve it. The story shows typical problems in separated families but at the same time it has the spark it needs to make it enjoyable. "Son of the Bride", made in 2001 by Juan José Campanella, introduces the typical cliché story but with a captivating charm. This movie takes place in Argentina, a country in Latin America. The movie is about Rafael (Ricardo Darín) who is a man that has problems with his ex-wife about their daughter, Vicky (Gimena Nóbile), who he does not visit often. Also he has problems with the café he owns that was started by his father, Nino (Hector Alterio), and finally has problems because he feels guilty for not visiting his mother. After a surprising event, he wants to change his life and start to fix his problems. The actors and actresses did a very good job when portraying their role. They did look really convincing. I was most impressed with the acting of Gimena Nóbile (Vicky), Rafa's daughter in the movie. Due to her age and her role playing being so good, shows how she does have a passion for acting and a good future with it. A role that was also impressive was the one of Norma Aleandro, Rafa's mother, who did manage to portray a lady with Alzheimer and make it credible. Besides the good acting the director, Juan José Campanella, made an awesome job when shooting the scenes. Throughout the movie there is not one scene that I didn't like. I really liked the light used and every angle and setting used does help give a positive rating to the movie. The scene I enjoyed the most was the wedding between his parents. It shows the couple having what they want but with the comic twist, the priest did not let them get married together because of Nina's condition. Rafael decides to hire his friend and make him pretend he is a priest, and with it he pleased his mother on the white wedding that she dreamed of. The biggest lesson that the movie shows is that your family will be side by side to you forever. This is a common theme for many movies but in this one the theme is presented in an original way. The movie does have really cliché ideas, like idea of a man having problems with his ex-wife and daughter for not being the best family man he can be, but the director did manage to show them in original and different ways, he added comic into it as the scene of the wedding. Due to this the movie is more enjoyable that the typical Hollywood movies. People will learn to care for their families and finally appreciate life more. The movie is rated R. The movie is addressed to adults due to some of the language used. Besides the language maybe kids won't enjoy it as much and won't understand the jokes made. I recommend it more to young adults and adults that will understand the jokes and will also feel identified with the movie. Overall the movie is well done and it is enjoyable to watch. My rating: ****= out of ***** Ximena Casafont is a senior at Lincoln School. Soon she will graduate and will study language pathology and early child studies. She will study at Costa Rica both of her careers and take them both at the same time. She enjoys to do art and to spend time with her friends.
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AndyNS20 May 2004What else would you say if a movie offers you all this: true life comedy, real life any-day drama, touching moments, and most important: the true meaning of LOVE? Mix all this, in adequate proportions, and add a great script, and excellent performances from every actor in this film. The story has been well commented: Rafael (Ricardo Darín) is a workaholic men that spends his whole life trying to be more important that he really is, always forgetting about the ones that really care about him. But suddenly, a heart stroke and the appearance of Juan Carlos (Eduardo Blanco), a friend that he has not seen in 20 years, as a really true angel that came from the hell of a life full of tragic episodes, turns upside down Rafael's life. All this, mixed with the sacrifice that Rafael father is prepared to make: deny himself from traveling to his mother country, Italy, just to make her wife dream true: to have a wedding, in a church, before the eyes of god. This could be reasonable for any person, but the fact that his wife (Norma Aleandro) has a very advance Alzheimer disease, and his mind is elsewhere, transforms Alterio act in a truly loving and heroic one. To people around the world: go to your VHS or DVD store, and go directly to this movie. Do not fall in the usual blockbusters, that offer you more of the same. "Son of the Bride" has it all... you will not be disappointed. My score: 10 of 10.
PS: If this movie was produced in Hollywood (not likely), with Kevin Spacey, JAck Nicholson, and so, we would be taking about the best movie ever. No joke. -
ginny-daugherty8 October 2012This film tells the story of Rafael, and his complicated life. At the beginning of the film, it seems as if his life is in crisis and because of this it was a little difficult to understand everything that was happening at the beginning of the film. The actors did a great job of representing their characters and the relationships between characters. Because of this, the film was very interesting to watch. The special effects were unique and contributed well to the story of the film. The plot is beautiful in certain places and the ending of the film in that the relationships between characters are resolved. Rafael's future is still a little uncertain, however. In the end, the film is quite well done and every aspect of the film works together well.
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diand_25 September 2003This movie takes a standard soap (telenovela) as a basis of actions that take place in it, but alters the style: much slower, more intelligent editing, and more intimate acting should bring it to another level, but it doesn't work out well. Acting is average at best, furthermore the film mixes too much elements in most scenes (e.g. the videophone scene is not very dramatic, nor very funny, which it could be both) and characters are pure abstractions of real people. The result is a movie that seems to linger forever, and tries to play the sentimentality card to keep its audience involved. It is film making without hardly any visual storytelling or interesting narrative structure: not very imaginative and sometimes even downright dull.
It is a pity that just this Argentinian movie became so famous outside its country because there is heaps of real film talent over there: Historias Minimas, Bolivia come to mind (or even Nueve Reinas). -
Son of the Bride
When I read the short description of this Argentinean film, "Son with broken marriage deals with his dads desire to renew marriage vows with his wife with Alzheimer's" I hesitated to watch it. I down loaded it to my Tivo because of it's three star rating, but had no great desire to re--live my mothers long decline into that particular abyss.
We had just started to watch "Out of Sight" a Hollywood product that had George Clooney meeting his co-star "cute" in the trunk of a getaway car. A contrived vehicle for brand name stars that delivered the audience and made a buck for the investors. That's the American way. We cut it off after twenty minutes and decided we may as well give this one a try.
Nobody met "cute" in this film. There is a son with a broken marriage and barely tolerable relations with his ex whom he kept in contact with over the shared love of their daughter. The demented mother, was depicted with just enough realism to give a taste of the true sadness of this disease, while not overwhelming the film with despair. Maybe it was extra meaningful to me, since my Mother was like her, the rare person who did not suffer from her illness, but bathed in some blessed contentment.
I will not try to go into detail why this film was so beautiful. When everything works perfectly, the writing, directing and the acting; all you have is the unfolding of the story on the screen. There is nothing to say about the people or their interactions--- they are just being themselves. In real life, we don't have heroes. The strongest people are those who can make the people around them feel good about themselves. If they are gorgeous they don't wear makeup to accentuate it. If they are rich they talk about a cheap meal they had a restaurant. And if they are very smart, they talk sports.
So, by watching this film, you get to spend a couple hours with these people. Nothing will be more enjoyable. And stay through the titles that roll at the end, there is one final joke that completes the experience. -
fernando-429 September 2001MONTREAL -- It's not too early to start anticipating that this outstanding Argentine-Spanish co-production will be one of the Academy Award nominees for foreign film. Close to perfection in every regard, provoking more laughs and tears than all the films one sees in any given season combined -- and a movie that would make such masters as Frank Capra and Billy Wilder proud -- "Son of the Bride" (El Hijo de la Novia) earned the Special Grand Prix of the Jury award in main competition at the World Film Festival of Montreal (HR 9/4).
Director and co-writer Juan Jose Campanella worked for much of the past decade in the United States in television and won two Emmy Awards for directing. He co-wrote the screenplay of "Son" with Fernando Castets after the pair collaborated on Campanella's 1999 feature "Same Love, Same Rain." While the Spanish-language "Son" has strong appeal to mature audiences, a smart domestic distributor could take it on the art house circuit, where the film could achieve a resounding success. Rafael (Ricardo Darin) is a 42-year-old restaurant owner and divorcee who wants to change his life. Always on his cell phone dealing with work problems, he's got a beautiful girlfriend (Natalia Verbeke) and a loyal staff, but money problems and pressures to sell his business are taking a toll. He has a young daughter who lives most of the time with his ex-wife, while his aging father, Nino (Hector Alterio), who started the restaurant Rafael took over, is a gentle, supportive soul.
The title refers to Nino's desire to grant the decades-long wish of his wife, Rafael's mother (Norma Aleandro), who is suffering from Alzheimer's disease, to have a church wedding. In scene after exquisite scene one gets to knows these characters and sympathize with them. Rafael is a man in crisis who does not judge others and does not blame the world for his problems. But he's also not always aware of how much love and support he has to help him get to the next stage of life. When he has a heart attack but recovers to nearly his former energetic self, Rafael decides he needs more "freedom" and sells the restaurant, while also contemplating a move to Mexico. Fortunately, those around him, including a childhood friend-turned-actor (Eduardo Blanco), are not altogether behind him, and the lead makes the best of what he's already got.
From the constant stream of little jokes and bittersweet moments involving his parents, work and the women in his life to the unabashedly emotional peaks, Rafael's story is so uncommonly rendered with cinematic skill that it frankly leaves one delirious with admiration. The cinematography, music, editing and, most of all, the performances cannot be praised too much. -
leoncio-ortega28 October 2004I see that people commenting about this film are missing the point in which the real purpose of the film is. The film's main purpose is to examine a situation that rises due to the severe economic crisis in Argentina. The film portrays a family that has to make an 180 turn and sacrifice the work of generations. It is an everyday life event in Argentina in which people are forced to leave its family business or life's work due to the circumstances in the country. It is movie in which the family decides to move on with their lives and yet keeping the digninty and unity of the family. It also portrays two different generations in which you see the grandfather still madly in love with its amnesiac wife and the son already divorced yet respecting and honoring the values of its previous generation. It is not meant to become an universal film yet in any country with sever economic crisis, stories like this develop everyday.
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noralee20 December 2005"Son of the Bride (El Hijo de la Novia)" is an Argentinian "It's A Wonderful Life" for baby boomers.
Because nowadays even George Bailey would be overworked, with sandwich generation responsibilities, and probably an ex-wife. Instead of an angel, here, it's a heart attack, the sudden appearance of a childhood friend, and his aged father who wants to give his mother the church wedding she wanted for the past 40 years, at least before her mind was lost to Alzheimer's.
What makes the movie enjoyable and not schmaltzy, as written and directed by TV director Juan Jose Campanella, is the charm of lead actor Ricardo Darin, the comfortably realistic dialog (with only a couple of missteps in the subtitles) and situations, and the very funny bits that shine through (which Hollywood will smooth out when it re-makes it in English), including boomer pop culture debates (but who is Dick Watson?).
Each of the characters has at least some individuality, even the male fantasy young girlfriend and the loving daughter.
I loved the penultimate line: that his father makes a loving long marriage "look like Fred Astaire."
(originally written 9/2/2002) -
When I think of this movie I think of warmth. Warmth between the characters, but in particular the warmth of the filming. Short of Bertolucci I can't remember a movie where the use of warm, rich colors and lighting added so much to the effect, an effect augmented by the gentle guitar score. The story of a heart attack precipitating a reevaluation of life's meaning for successful Buenos Aires restaurateur Rafael Belvedere could have been played to emphasize the painful aspects, but what we get here is a tender, sympathetic, often humorous, treatment. The emphasis is on the changes in Rafael's relationships - with his aging parents, his young daughter, and his significant other.
The treatment is not overly sentimental. There are moments of anguish such as when Rafael signs over his restaurant (that had been founded by his parents) to a large chain. That scene is filmed to stress the difficulty of the decision. The scenes with Rafael's mother, who is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, are poignant. And there is no completely smooth sailing in Rafael's relationships after his crisis, but they become more meaningful and complex.
There are some scenes that are very touching, like when Rafael reads an emotionally significant poem written by his daughter and winds up with the question, "Why hadn't I read this before."
I was conflicted in my reaction to one of the central plot points dealing with Rafael's father's desire to give his wife a church wedding, the one thing that he felt he had not given her. I could appreciate the sentiment, but ultimately leaned toward Rafael's initial reaction, "It's crazy dad. She won't even notice."
The idea that a good part of happiness lies in recognizing, accepting, and appreciating what we have is not new, but the delivery of that message in "Son of the Bride" makes for an engaging film.
P.S. Be sure to catch the scene inserted into the middle of the closing credits. -
claudio_carvalho20 October 2003Rafael Belvedere (Ricardo Darín) is a stressed owner of a successful restaurant. He is forty-two years old, divorced and neglects his daughter, his girl-friend Natty (Natalia Verbeke) and his mother Norma Belvedere (Norma Aleandro), who lives in an asylum with Alzheimer. His father Nino Belvedere (Héctor Alterio) is still in love with her. Along all their life together, he accomplished all of her wishes except marrying her in the church. Therefore, he decides to marry her in the church. A few days later, Rafael`s best friend in childhood Juan Carlos (Eduardo Blanco) visits him after twenty years without any contact. Then, Rafael has a heart attack. All of these events together makes Rafael reflect about how his life is and he decides to change his behavior. This is a great Argentinean low-budget movie, which alternates drama and humor in right doses, never becoming mushy. The magnificent and sensible story is supported by a great direction and excellent actors and actresses, highlighting the performance of Norma Aleandro. The viewer must wait to the end of the credits, where there is a funny revelation. My vote is nine.
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rowiko5 February 2017This film has made my day! It's one of those movies where you don't really have any expectations, other than just being entertained for 120 minutes or so - and then they blow you away!
It's a heartwarming story, which I'm sure has been portrayed many times and in many ways, but I don't think ever as brilliantly as in this film. It goes way beyond entertainment. It makes you reflect on your own whole life.
Héctor Alterio's acting is sheer perfection. Hardly ever have I seen an actor so convincing. When he looks at his wife, stricken by Alzheimer's, with his warm smile and his eyes glistening, not for a second did I think he was acting, as I felt he really did mean it. The love being conveyed by him seemed so genuine, and it touched my heart to the very core.
This film is a true gem! -
Leod13 February 2002The Campanella's film Son of the Bride is far away from the best achievements in filmmaking. To say it's a film inscript into the "Hollywood Tradition" and quote such names as King Vidor, Vincente Minelli and even -the greatest lie- Frank Capra it's only a proof of the patriotic chauvinism of some so-called "film critics" in our country. The manipulation of the script, the dmagogic exculpation of a little bussiness man who blames in some way "the system" for his own misery and the hope for a "happy end" out of the screen ere evidences of the type of demagogic way of filming on the "greatest films" (only about the money they costs) in our country. Son of the Bride is far away too from the bravest films made in Argentina, thos who goes with enormous effort to the most important film festivals in the world and catch the moviegoers and critic's attention: Pizza, Birra, Faso; Mundo Grúa, Nueve Reinas, La ciénaga, La Libertad, Bolivia and many others, made with authentic love for the cinema and real respect for the real world.
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Chrysanthepop25 February 2008In 'El Hijo de la Novia', director Juan José Campanella tells the story of a workaholic 42-year old divorced father who has unstable relationship with his daughter and girlfriend and who's father, after 44 years of marriage, wants to remarry his mother who's struck by Alzheimer's disease. But things take a different turn when he has a stroke. Campanella tells a sweet tale of self discovery or rather self rediscovery accompanied by a playful score. He does present the culture quite well as one does get the feel of the local Argentinian life. Héctor Alterio and Norma Aleandro give very spirited performances and they are a treat to watch. Ricardo Darin is adequate while Natalia Verbeke and Eduardo Blanco are very good. In spite of gaining widespread acknowledgement, 'El Hijo de la Novia' remains a small humble little film. I liked how the relationships were portrayed and how the characters and problems were very recognizable. Nino's love for Norma was very moving. The only quibble for me was that the pacing was very slow midway so it requires some patience from the viewer but in the end es una película divertida que eleva. Make sure to watch it through the rolling end credits.
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alexmoi5815 January 2004Bravo for Campanella and his actors. I was very touched by this movie i really loved this one is incredible How many excelent Argentine movies are arround those days. I strongly reccomend this one. A True masterpiece.
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dcldan10 May 2006Ricardo Darín plays the part of a man in crisis. He runs a restaurant that only gives him worries; his girlfriend is tired of seeing him stressed; he has not time for anything, and in addition, his parents, after 40 years of irreligious living, have decided to get married before dying. Everything seems to crash and burn down in his life; a heart attack will make him to reconsider all his life and move him to make some with his life. The film is, possibly the best Argentinian film I've seen ever (and the best film I've seen during a long time, the directing is very good and, despite it is 2 hours long, at any moment can you detect the most little lack of rhythm as you'll be totally caught by the film. In the same way, the actors are impressive, and not only Darin, but Alterio's acting is superb; maybe deserving one Oscar (or at least, nomination). The story is really moving and make us think and watch how is our live, and if we are taking enough profit of it. A very, very good movie; if you can, don't avoid watching it.