'Gloria' is a simple, charming and thought-provoking movie. Going through the last stage of life without a partner, to share it with, can be a really tedious and sad journey. This is the story of the daily life of a divorced mother-of-two, whose children are already settled in their life. She visits clubs, house gatherings, etc., all in the search of a decent and suitable man with whom she can spend the rest of her life with. Not only is it a tiring thing to do at that point of your life, but because of the person's maturity and experience in life, the person won't settle for someone random just for the sake of it.The movie might seem quite simple to many, and it is, in many ways. But the subtle way in which the humour, joy, and sadness are shown keeps you intrigued till the end, and makes you wish that you or anyone you love doesn't have to go through such a phase.It's Paulina García's acting as titular character that holds the movie together' Gloria's intelligence, perseverance and dignity shine through radiantly through Miss Garcia.

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.

She's lonely, she has a few regrets, she's dumb, she's looking for love, she's gullible, she's emotional, she's pure, she's charming, she is free, she is GLORIOUS.She's the most amazing character I have ever witnessed. Full of imperfections, so full of live. She has committed few mistakes in her life but spent her life her own way. She is desperately trying to people give love to and seek love from. But in the end she knows that is on her own like everyone of us and she has no choice but to dance to the rhythm of life.For me its the BEST movie of the year. It's honest, lovable, deep and tells so much about human nature.

"Gloria" (2013 release from Chile; 100 min.) brings the story of Gloria (played by Paulina Garcia), a fifty-something divorced woman. As the movie opens, we find Gloria in a dance club with Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" blasting away. Gloria is alone, but certainly not lonely. She loves to dance, and she attracts the attention of others. Pretty soon, Gloria makes the acquaintance of Rodolfo, a sixty-something who is also divorced, yet emotionally still close to his ex-wife and even more so his two grown daughters. Meanwhile, we get to also know Gloria's grown kids: her son Pedro is taking care of a new baby, and her daughter Ana is involved with her boyfriend from Sweden. To tell you much more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.Several comments: first, this is one great 'little' movie about the free-spirited Gloria. One can't help but marvel at the "joie de vivre" which Gloria lives by, even if things are not always easy or don't always go her way. Second, what can you say about the towering performance from Paulina Garcia in the title role! She is in virtually every frame of the movie, and she will blow you away. She brings a daring performance on every level. Co-star Sergio Hernandez as romantic interest Rodolfo is pretty good too. Beware: there are a number of nude scenes between these two, which may make uncomfortable viewing for some. I must say that I am surprised--and disappointed--that Paulina Garcia, who has won a number of international prizes for this performance (including "Best Actress" at the 2013 Berlin Film Festival, where this movie premiered), did not even get nominated for a Best Actress Oscar. Third, there are a couple of key scenes in the movie that will stay with you, none better in my opinion than the awkward family reunion on Pedro's birthday, with Gloria's ex-husband and his new wife, and Gloria introducing Rodolfo to her family for the first time. Just watch what happens. Last but not least: there is a ton of great music in the movie, including of course Umberto Tozzi's late 70s classic "Gloria" (Laura Branigan's cover version a few years later became a monster hit in the US).This movie reminded me of the 1978 classic "An Unmarried Woman" starring Jill Clayburgh (I think she even won the Best Actress Oscar for this). Certainly these two movies are similar in spirit, if nothing else. "Gloria" opened last weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, and when I went to see it this weekend, the matinée screening was surprisingly well attended, which is great news. If you are in the mood for a top-notch foreign movie with stellar performances, you cannot go wrong with this. "Gloria" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!