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Reaching for the Moon

Original title: Flores Raras
  • 20132013
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 58m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • IMDbPro
Miranda Otto and Glória Pires in Flores Raras (2013)
Trailer for Reaching for the Moon
Play trailer2:04
1 Video
22 Photos
  • Biography
  • Drama
  • History

A chronicle of the tragic love affair between American poet Elizabeth Bishop and Brazilian architect Lota de Macedo Soares.A chronicle of the tragic love affair between American poet Elizabeth Bishop and Brazilian architect Lota de Macedo Soares.A chronicle of the tragic love affair between American poet Elizabeth Bishop and Brazilian architect Lota de Macedo Soares.

IMDb RATING
6.9/10
3.3K
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Bruno Barreto
  • Writers
    • Matthew Chapman(screenplay)
    • Julie Sayres(screenplay)
    • Carmen L. Oliveira(based on the novel "Flores raras e banalíssimas" by)
  • Stars
    • Glória Pires
    • Miranda Otto
    • Tracy Middendorf
Top credits
  • Director
    • Bruno Barreto
  • Writers
    • Matthew Chapman(screenplay)
    • Julie Sayres(screenplay)
    • Carmen L. Oliveira(based on the novel "Flores raras e banalíssimas" by)
  • Stars
    • Glória Pires
    • Miranda Otto
    • Tracy Middendorf
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 13User reviews
    • 61Critic reviews
    • 44Metascore
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 9 wins & 19 nominations

    Videos1

    Reaching for the Moon
    Trailer 2:04
    Reaching for the Moon

    Photos22

    Miranda Otto, Tracy Middendorf, Glória Pires, and Marcello Airoldi in Flores Raras (2013)
    Miranda Otto in Flores Raras (2013)
    Miranda Otto and Glória Pires in Flores Raras (2013)
    Flores Raras (2013)
    Flores Raras (2013)
    Flores Raras (2013)
    Miranda Otto and Glória Pires in Flores Raras (2013)
    Miranda Otto and Glória Pires in Flores Raras (2013)
    Miranda Otto and Glória Pires in Flores Raras (2013)
    Miranda Otto and Glória Pires in Flores Raras (2013)
    Miranda Otto and Glória Pires in Flores Raras (2013)
    Miranda Otto and Glória Pires in Flores Raras (2013)

    Top cast

    Edit
    Glória Pires
    Glória Pires
    • Lota de Macedo Soaresas Lota de Macedo Soares
    Miranda Otto
    Miranda Otto
    • Elizabeth Bishopas Elizabeth Bishop
    Tracy Middendorf
    Tracy Middendorf
    • Maryas Mary…
    Marcello Airoldi
    • Carlos Lacerdaas Carlos Lacerda
    Tânia Costa
    • Dindinhaas Dindinha
    Marianna Mac Niven
    • Maluas Malu
    Marcio Ehrlich
    Marcio Ehrlich
    • José Eduardo Macedo Soaresas José Eduardo Macedo Soares
    Lola Kirke
    Lola Kirke
    • Margaret Bennettas Margaret Bennett
    Luciana Souza
    • Joanaas Joana
    Treat Williams
    Treat Williams
    • Robert Lowellas Robert Lowell
    Anna Bella
    • Kathleenas Kathleen
    Angelina de Sensi
    • Clara 5 years oldas Clara 5 years old
    Kiria Malheiros
    • Clara 8 years oldas Clara 8 years old
    Bruna Franca
    • Clara 3 years oldas Clara 3 years old
    Joana Franca
    • Clara 3 years oldas Clara 3 years old
    Thogun Teixeira
    • Criouloas Crioulo
    Isio Ghelman
    • Dr. Jorgeas Dr. Jorge
    David Herman
    • US Ambassadoras US Ambassador
    • Director
      • Bruno Barreto
    • Writers
      • Matthew Chapman(screenplay)
      • Julie Sayres(screenplay)
      • Carmen L. Oliveira(based on the novel "Flores raras e banalíssimas" by)
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
    • All cast & crew

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    Storyline

    Edit
    Grappling with writer's block, legendary American poet Elizabeth Bishop travels from New York City to Rio de Janeiro in the 1950s to visit her college friend, Mary. Hoping to find inspiration on her sprawling estate, but she winds up with much more - a tempestuous relationship with her bohemian partner, architect Lota de Macedo Soares, that rocks the staid writer to her foundation. Alcoholism, geographical distance and a military coup come between the lovers, but their intimate connection spans decades and forever impacts the life and work of these two extraordinary artists.
    • lesbian
    • alcoholism
    • female poet
    • female architect
    • brazil
    • 51 more
    • Plot summary
    • Add synopsis
    • Taglines
      • Two iconic women. One passion.
    • Genres
      • Biography
      • Drama
      • History
      • Romance
    • Certificate
      • Not Rated
    • Parents guide

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Four paragraphs appear between the end of the film and the beginning of the credits.

      1. "Few women write major poetry. Only four stand with our best men: Emily Dickinson, Marianne Moore, Elizabeth Bishop and Sylvia Plath." - Robert Lowell

      2. "I'd rather be called the 'The 16th Poet' with no reference to my sex, than one of 4 women - even if the other three are pretty good." - Elizabeth Bishop

      3. Elizabeth Bishop died in 1979 in the United States. She is considered on the most important poets of the English language.

      4. In 2012, UNESCO declared the city of Rio De Janeiro a World Heritage site. The Flamengo Park is one of its main attractions.
    • Goofs
      Opening in 1951 but Bobby Vinton singing Blue Velvet was not until 1963.
    • Quotes

      Elizabeth Bishop: It's OK. I'm not drunk. I'm just crying in English.

    • Crazy credits
      Nine of the main performers (the first 10) are listed in the credits without the name of their character. Only Treat Williams is credited as his character, Robert Lowell.
    • Connections
      Referenced in Programa do Jô: Episode dated 26 August 2013 (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Kalu
      Written by Humberto Teixeira

      Performed by Dalva de Oliveira

    User reviews13

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    Gloria Pires as Lota De Macedo Soares...
    Lovely. A story here that is not overshadowed by the relationships, politics, or agenda. It is, simply beautifully filmed, the beaches of Rio De Janeiro, the beautiful home Lota has deigned in part to accommodate her new lover, poet Elizabeth Bishop, completely played by Miranda Otto.

    Otto is at once restrained yet yearning, a Vassar graduate visiting her friend, who initially is puzzled (and indeed overwhelmed) by the beauty and passion of South America.

    She plays the American New England spinster type well, without a stereotype here. We can feel she wants, and NEEDS to break free from societal restraints.

    The filming of the rain forests, the owls at night, the visuals are incredible. Lota Soares was politically connected and designed the park near Carioca beach, the title infers, reaching for the moon has so may more connotations for each woman.

    What is most refreshing is the way this film is written, sensitive to the issues each woman experiences, it is an individual and a private journey.

    The actress portraying Carlotta Soares is affecting and sad, and Miranda Otto is quite believable as Bishop. The story is beautiful and sad, and the scenery of Brazil is not to be missed, simply beautiful, and beautifully filmed. 10/10
    helpful•10
    3
    • MarieGabrielle
    • Jun 18, 2014

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • August 16, 2013 (Brazil)
    • Country of origin
      • Brazil
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official Twitter
    • Languages
      • English
      • Portuguese
    • Also known as
      • The Art of Losing
    • Filming locations
      • Petrópolis, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
    • Production companies
      • LC Barreto Productions
      • Imagem Filmes
      • Globo Filmes
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Gross US & Canada
      • $45,502
    • Opening weekend US & Canada
      • $14,573
      • Nov 10, 2013
    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,534,391
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 58 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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