Searching round for films to view for the IMDb's Film Festival page event,I found Gloria a title that I could not track down anywhere.Looking round for TV shows on the British DVD site Network,I was surprised to discover that they had put Gloria out,which led to me getting ready to finally meet Gloria.The plot:Seeing her children move away after she has been divorced for 12 years,Gloria decides that she is not going to let the twilight years of life pass her by.Hitting the bars and clubs,Gloria starts dating (and sleeping with) a number of guys.Hitting things off on the dance floor,Gloria catches the attention of recent divorcée Rodolfo.Falling for Rodolfo,Gloria begins asking Rodolfo if he can introduce her to his family.Caught by surprise, Rodolfo soon reveals to Gloria that he is not as free-spirited as her.View on the film:Swaying the film to a soundtrack that includes Disco classics and Latin Pop,co-writer/(along with Gonzalo Maza) director Sebastián Lelio follows Gloria in jagged hand-held shots,which give the title an intimate atmosphere.Whilst the camera moves undercover hidden sides to Gloria,the screenplay by Lelio & Maza runs hot and cold,with the focused on Gloria's care free personality being constantly pushed aside for a romantic relationship which lacks emotional intimacy.Giving Gloria a strikingly confident flirtatiousness, Paulina García gives a wonderful performance as Gloria,thanks to García delicately expressing Gloria's physical intimacy whilst keeping her happy go lucky attitude burning bright,in a film that is far from glorious.

'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.

Gloria (2013/II) is a Chilean movie co-scripted and directed by Sebastián LelioPaulina García portrays Gloria, a divorced middle-aged woman who is free to live the lifestyle she desires. She likes to go to dance clubs after work, and, if a man shows interest, she's happy to respond.Gloria does, indeed, meet a man. He appears to be perfect for her--handsome, divorced, the right age, and the right background. However, complications arise.This is an excellent movie because Paulina García is the perfect actor for the role. Her acting ability is wonderful. Although Gloria is quite attractive, she's in her fifties, and looks it. Apparently, Ms. García hasn't gone the Hollywood route of multiple plastic surgeries. She's an attractive 53-year-old woman playing an attractive 53-year-old woman. That makes the film both interesting and believable. We saw this movie in a theater, but it will work well on DVD. (It's a film about interpersonal relationships, not scenic grandeur or spectacular effects.) The movie has an IMDb rating of 7.0, which isn't bad, but which isn't great. Don't be deterred by the rating. This is definitely a film that's worth seeing!

If there is one film that defines the notion that 'no coming of age story can be depicted too late', it's Gloria. After getting divorced and watching her children's lives take exciting new turns, whether it be raising a family of their own or exploring new career opportunities, Gloria could have easily fallen into a sad life, alone and miserable. Instead, wise, beautiful and full of life, Gloria decides to live her life to the fullest by working hard and playing even harder. Whether it's dressing up to go out dancing, singing aloud to her car stereo, or doing yoga for the first time, Gloria gives new life and meaning to the 'coming of age narrative'. As the audience follows a character whom, at a much later age, still endures the 'coming of age' trials that we mostly see in preteens or young adults, Gloria brings to light many of the trials that countless women face today. Sadly however, Gloria becomes a very specific, dreary, and essentially uneventful character study intended for a very specific demographic with very little to offer larger audiences. As a film critic responsible for representing the voice of younger film enthusiasts and a new generation of film lovers, I have an appreciation and understanding of the opinions of others. With that said, I approach every film unbiased, informed and open-minded, as I would with any piece of art. Now, there are very few times where pieces of cinema actually become timeless pieces of art. I believe, that in order for a film to be timeless, it must reach leaps and bounds beyond it's key demographic and speak to people, regardless of it's time-frame or the age of it's characters/subjects. In many cases, films speak to the audiences they are targeted to, hence why most films are surveyed by demographics based on age. Films like Blue is the Warmest Colour, Something's Gotta Give and her, have very specific viewing audiences and are able to succeed (critically and financially) by marketing themselves appropriately among these demographics. Every so often, there comes a film that roots itself in certain time-frames using a specific age- centric voice/or place in history (fictional or non-fictional), and becomes a universal piece of cinematic language. Recently, films like The Social Network, The Past and Nebraska, not only become film pieces that are embedded within a specific time-frame understood by a few, but effortlessly speak volumes to many. Unfortunately, Gloria becomes a very specific tale of hope for divorced middle-aged men and women in search of love, sex, and meaning after the life they always thought they'd share with someone falls to pieces.The most fantastic element with Gloria is her ability to avoid melancholia, however what's discrediting to the film altogether is that it's underlining feeling is melancholic. Gloria's loneliness is her biggest downfall as a character. Her dependency on the company of others leads her into a relationship with Rodolfo (Sergio Hernández), a man who flaunts his wealth in order to attract Gloria yet basis his own happiness on her simple beauty and effortless sex appeal. With the loud ring of each of her phone calls and his quick answer, Rodolfo quickly becomes a foreshadowing of his inability to please Gloria's endless appetites–both inside and outside the bedroom. It is through Gloria's relationships with others, including Rodolfo and her daughter's boyfriend Theo (Eyal Meyer), that both she and the audience is able to explore the colourful sides of her multifaceted personality and youthful demeanour.Much like the main titled character herself, the film experiences a change of heart halfway through, and then again abandons those thoughts not long after. The film has much to say about a woman who's unquenchable sex-drive and lust for passion are thwarted daily. Her quest for love and romanticized notions of affection are held next to the ideals of the songs she sings on the radio and within the small discos and dance halls where she meets men. After all is said and done, Gloria still seems to find her appetite unsatiated, not for a lack of meeting men, but instead as a result of the preconceived notions she has about the world of cougar dating.The role of Gloria is one with much depth. Although it may seem hard to imagine many other seasoned actresses jumping to take the part, I could name at least ten that would be excellent in showing the impending doom of a middle-aged woman who is slowing becoming a ticking menopausal time bomb. One of the most important factors of Garcia's interpretation of the role was her ability to personify such a real yet totally attainable beauty. Gloria is neither super- model gorgeous nor is she another plain-Jane; Garcia's interpretation of the character not only highlights so much of her natural beauty, but dulls those physicality's once her personality and poor decision making comes back in horrifying fashion. It is a beauty that can only be understood once you see it for yourself on screen.There are only so many clubs scenes filled with middle-aged men and elderly folk that one can watch in one sitting without wanting something more. There is no denying that Gloria caters to a very specific, yet very large group of men and women who feel hopeless and lost after a divorce or separation. This film looks to give people hope–a hope that involves them calling the shots and holding all the cards. However, after the final credits role, the fact still remains; life isn't one big club scene with endless Latin music and meet-cute scenarios. After all the glamour and bright lights fade, Gloria becomes a slow and repeated example of films that use very little to achieve even less–if not nothing at all.