Effects of dancing the danzón
Added 10/10/2006
I would advise any cinefile with a human heart and an appreciation of true art to disregard all reviews (including this one), watch the movie, and judge for himself; lest he miss a unique and uniquely profound experience.
The film is a timeless thing of beauty, strikingly original, grounded in true human-ness, at times moving, at times bitter-sweet, but always real; and it leaves no trace of current cockamamie ideologies about women or other political korrectness: it is about real life, or sober fantasy.
Directed by a woman, most definitely not a "chick flick". The furthest thing from a "romance novel", though many superficial viewers seem unable to tell the (huge) difference. I would also say that it is sex-neutral. It says as much to men as to women. (I am one of the former, and no sentimentalist.)
A reviewer somewhere described the plot thus (or thereabouts): the search for a disappearing dance partner turns into a voyage of self-discovery. This is hard to improve upon, so I will expand on it instead.
Carmelo is young Julia's middle-age danzón dance partner, and they are a prize winning "strictly dancing" couple in Mexico City. He misses the regular Wednesday socials several times without warning. Worried Julia, unable to hear from or about him in Mexico City, takes money out of her savings and goes off trying to pick up Carmelo's trail. She did not find him, but found plenty else.
The scene that most moved me is near the end, when Julia meets Carmelo again at the regular ball on another Wednesday, and seemingly everything gets ... back to normal.
When the film hit the USA movie theaters (1992), Janet Maslin of the New York Times titled her obtuse review "A Melodious Variation On Feminist Awareness". Fortunately, no such crap, no caca like that at all.
Raúl Clímaco
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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The eroticism made dance!
Added 1/22/2005
This original work is an arresting feminist tale about a middle aged woman who rejoins with her forgotten sensuality , performing a ballroom dance known at the danzon.
The hidden codes immersed in this typical Latin American rhythm will become a reborn of the affective world of this woman , giving back her new reasons to live and love.
Interesting premise to explore the intimacies of the beloved and few times unspoken feminine universe.
1 out of 1 people found this helpful.
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This movie is worth watching! It has fantastic acting and a great storyline. It about a woman, Julia, and the dance, Danzon. The dance is much like her life, very rigid and controlled. After Julia's partner of many years stopped showing up for their usual dance, she worries and leaves to go find him. Her journey takes her to Veracruz. There she meets many delightful people who try to help her find him. After she has a love affair with a younger man, she leaves to go back home. While she is on her journey, she discovers a lot about herself and who she is. She left not only to find her partner, but to find herself as well. This movie is great for anyone who is willing to take a risk to find themselves!
0 out of 0 people found this helpful.
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Great feel good movie with great music.
Added 3/31/2001
This movie is not an instructional video but it is possible to learn the basic step for the Danzon from this movie. If you are good at learning by video it is possible to learn more advanced steps by slow forwarding the movie. This movie has some good Danzon dancing & some of the greatest Danzon song's. This movie is not for the young. It is slow paced & romantic. For someone my age, it is excellent. I loved this movie. This movie left me feeling great & happy. It has a good story & Maria Rojo is great.
3 out of 5 people found this helpful.
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Enchanting!
Added 3/16/2000
This movie is one of my absolute favorites! A must see for anyone who has ever gone in search of a little spice and adventure in their lives! Terrific true to life story, terrific script, terrific acting! If only everyone could be brave enough to leave their droll boring existences long enough to REALLY follow their hearts -- this movie made me want to go hop the next plane to Veracruz and learn the hypnotic Danzon rhythm! The unforgettable characters and the experiences the main character has during her quest for her dance partner will stay in your memory long after you have turned off your vcr!
6 out of 7 people found this helpful.
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