Of Love & Shadows (1996)

In the Shadows

Betty Kaplan's "Of Love & Shadows" may not be quite as provocative as the cover suggests, but it is an interesting adaptation of Isabel Allende's book about the fascist politics of Chile under General Pinochet. This film was released in 1984. Jennifer Connelly who stars would win her Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 2001 for A Beautiful Mind (Widescreen Awards Edition). As Irene becomes politically aware, we observe great changes. She moves from a superficial life of privilege to a dedicated freedom fighter. She is engaged to her cousin Gustavo played by Camillo Gallardo. The film sends out one signal as Gustavo disrobes and "presents arms" to his cousin then shifts as we see Gustavo as a hard government soldier. Meanwhile, Irene encounters Francisco played by Antonio Bandaras. Bandaras' performance was so real that I had a hard time hearing & even understanding him throughout the film. Mumbling aside, he's a serious worker "in the shadows" from the start and adds a layer of love as he falls for Irene. Why a guy with Antonio's looks was single in the first place was never explained. Diego Wallraff plays Jose, Francico's brother who is a priest and tries to get the Cardinal to help with releasing human rights information to the world. I found the backstory of the revolution in Chile to be interesting and the scenery as Irene & Francisco flee was breathtaking. While Betty Kaplan's direction seems to leave great holes in the story and sends out mixed signals between its romantic story & political intrigue, it is interesting for an evening's viewing. Enjoy! September 7, 2008

I think it was a pretty good movie

I think this movie was very good movie and romantic.

You will have to see this movie to truly understand it.

I think Jennifer connelly and Antonio Banderas do a great job on this movie. December 3, 2007

worth every penny

my used vhs cost me eleven cents and it is worth every penny of it. at least as exciting as the movie where salma hayek has the unibrow. no unibrow here. i didn't watch the unibrow movie for obvious reasons, but it is similar to this movie in that it is about outstanding south american commie women who are committed and independent and have free commie love and are very vibrant and serious. i didn't watch the movie long enough to find out whether the heroine shaves her legs or not. but she probably does because she is from an aristocratic commie family and is only a commie when the cameras are rolling. July 7, 2007

more garbage from the razzie magnet

youd think after ruining so many movies that producers would stop using her.boggles the mind j lo has so many chances to screw up movies.the best part is her movies dont see more than 2 weekends and quickly fade away.....now if only she would February 8, 2006

Of Love & Shadows

Very prompt transaction. A good seller. This is a very good DVD. August 17, 2005

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