Gloria

Roadside Attractions | Release Date: January 24, 2014

7.0	USER SCORE Generally favorable reviews based on 49 Ratings

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juderobeMay 2, 2014

Nicely filmed and acted, but I felt no emotions for or against Gloria as the story unfolded. I found little that caught my attention--the characters seemed to be going through the motions. It made me wonder how old was the screenwriter, butNicely filmed and acted, but I felt no emotions for or against Gloria as the story unfolded. I found little that caught my attention--the characters seemed to be going through the motions. It made me wonder how old was the screenwriter, but that's no excuse for the superficiality of this film. It wasted my time.… Expand

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BestponyJul 10, 2014

I'm going to be blunt here: I can't help seeing Gloria as an inconsiderate, egocentric, needy woman with a substance abuse problem. It's an interesting portrait but the literal victory dance at the end makes it obvious that she was meant toI'm going to be blunt here: I can't help seeing Gloria as an inconsiderate, egocentric, needy woman with a substance abuse problem. It's an interesting portrait but the literal victory dance at the end makes it obvious that she was meant to be a positive character, which puzzles me. Perhaps I'm too young to understand it. In any case, the acting was clearly the highlight of the film.… Expand

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NightReviewsFeb 24, 2014

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 orIf 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.… Expand

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PsychefanFeb 17, 2014

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Gloria is a portrait of a divorced, middle-aged Chilean woman. Unfortunately, I was never really engaged by this segment of her life. Gloria, the character, forms a new relationship. The ultimate message seems to echo the old adage, "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me." While the ending is cute, I believe that the problem is lack of context. We aren't told who Gloria is or where she comes from. It isn't apparent whether her resilience represents growth or mere repetition. The acting is very good and there is certainly some usefulness in the message that those who are middle-aged and divorced are people too, with a range of emotions and issues. However, I was left unsatisfied. I needed more of a story, not just a portrait.… Expand

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dr_spokchildJun 23, 2019

You can have a dud and still be a star. If you like to harken back to a failed relationship you were in, a terrible job you had, either of which you weren't "the bad one" but encircled by them, then this movie is for you. It's angst-riddenYou can have a dud and still be a star. If you like to harken back to a failed relationship you were in, a terrible job you had, either of which you weren't "the bad one" but encircled by them, then this movie is for you. It's angst-ridden and heavy-handed in almost adult-chiding way that fake cautionary tale of "Go Ask Alice" tells women what will happen to them if they venture too far out. Frankly, I'm surprised it was revived in a more neutered way instead of re-imagined in a more with-it empowering way, showing a woman's way post relationship making good and bad choices and being more than less-than-OK. IT'S a DOWNER and a DUD and I don't care if you like the actress. The message is wrong for its time, our time, and really anyone woman's time.… Expand

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