La Mujer de Mi Hermano (2005)

Excellent movie

This is one of the best Latin American movies I have seen. Yes, it is a bit too telenovela-like; but, it is good. Barbara Mori plays a woman in a miserable marriage. Her husband is emotionally distant, never really wants to have sex with her and is hiding a secret. She looks for a bit of love and fun in her husband's brother, who only wants to have fun and live the irresponsible, no-strings-attached lifestyle. Add to all of this all the cultural and morality issues present in Latin American society and you have a great exploration of a society that although progressing in economy, culturally, technologically, still has to deal with the deep-rooted and long-held moral beliefs.

The movie has all the emotional and dramatic whirlwind of a telenovela but will all the good acting these fine actors have to offer. What comes out is a very engaging and interesting film and is definitely worth watching. May 28, 2008

Wonderfully Written, Perfectly Directed, An Instant Classic!!!

This is a brilliant production about family dynamics and the intertwining connections between them. Written with almost "Shakespearian Complexity": the actors were expertly subtle in their roles so as to present this wonderful story to you like the separate courses of a grand feast. You are held in deep interest and concern for all the characters and their roles.

(The secret of good writing is to actually make you care about the characters written!)

You are left with a profound feeling of empathy and validation for all the characters in this all too relevant film of modern relationships. I highly recommend this film to anyone interested in high order theater.

There is a great difference between "Movies" and "Film"! Movies are made as mindless schlock whose sole purpose is to numb your senses and take your money.

Film is art in its truest sense! Film uses people as the colors on a pallet or notes in a chord. Film is created, not made! Spanish film production is really coming into it's own and it's ability to rival the films of other major film producers.

Trust me on this; you can't go wrong with this one! January 27, 2008

There are not words

If you want to see a movie that promises the forbidden fruits of sweetness then leaves you feeling like you ate a pile of dung crawling with maggots, this film is for you. The other reviews explain it all, I won't repeat them. November 7, 2007

A Stylish, Visually Stunning, Memorable Film from Latin America

LA MUJER DE MI HERMANO seems to have polarized viewers between those who classify it as a television novela and those who see it as a stylish Latin American drama. Written by Peruvian author Jaime Bayly, adapted by María Eugenia Argomedo, and directed by Peruvian director Ricardo de Montreuil, the cast boasts actors from Peru (Christian Meier), Colombia (Manolo Cardona), Uruguay (Bárbara Mori), Venezuela (Gaby Espino), Chile (Beto Cuevas), and Mexico (Angélica Aragón, Bruno Bichir). It is a fine showcase for some of the fine talent from Latin America that is gaining a strong influence on theatrical films released in the USA. It offers a story embracing many current dilemmas in society (relationship to church, infidelity, illegitimate pregnancy, homosexuality, childhood sexual abuse) and blends them into a film acted by a fine cast of beautiful and talented actors and artists behind the camera, and the result is a luminous piece of cinema that deserves a second look.

Ignacio (Meier) is a handsome, wealthy, emotionally cool man who is married to a sensuous, beautiful, sexually frustrated Zoe (Mori), The couple may appear to have it all - splendid house, wealth, expensive tastes - but they have been unable to have children in their ten year marriage. The disparity between their sexual needs results in Zoe finding solace in the arms of Ignacio's bohemian artist brother Gonzalo and they begin an affair that results in a surprise pregnancy. This crisis unveils the truth about the characters: Gonzalo, still reeling from the childhood sexual abuse by his older brother Ignacio, doesn't want fatherhood and marriage, and in the peak of the tremor the pregnancy creates Gonzalo shares Ignacio's homosexuality with Zoe. How the three confront their needs and fears pulls the story to a close, an ending that addresses fully the characteristic traits that have shaped the lives of the three.

In addition to the trio of stars there are excellent cameos by Bruno Bichir as Zoe's gay confidant, Angélica Aragón as the mother of the men whose greatest need is for grandchildren, Gaby Espino as the housekeeper Laura, and Beto Cuevas as the priest who is not only a friend of the family but hears the secrets of each in the confessional. The cinematography is lush and evocative in the competent hands of Andrés Sánchez and the tension of the story is well underscored by the music of Angelo Milli. For this viewer LA MUJER DE MI HERMANO is a classy film that brings attention to the many fine new works coming from Latin American cinema. It is well worth revisiting. Grady Harp, October 07
October 30, 2007

A Scandalous Foreign Film

La Mujer De Mi Hermano [NTSC/REGION 1 & 4 DVD. IMPORT-LATIN AMERICA] certainly has "extreme" reviews, either by people that really love it or give it about as much value as refuse. The important thing to remember about this film, however, is that (1) it takes place in Santiago de Chile, (2) the characters that are portrayed are of Latin America with their beliefs and values system and (3) therefore can't be confused with an American belief or values system and should never be compared.

On that note, La Mujer De Mi Hermano [NTSC/REGION 1 & 4 DVD. IMPORT-LATIN AMERICA] based on a novel by Jaime Bayly with additional dialogue written by Maria Eugenia Argomedo is a drama based on the aftermath of the incestuous molestation of an older brother to his younger, killing the younger brother's idolization and turning it into a slowly manifesting cancer. This fact, although not developed throughout the film, is briefly addressed, however, much like it would be in real-life as it is something people are eternally in denial about and never truly accept. For even having addressed this issue and taking it to the silver screen I applause Ricardo de Montreuil for a job well done in directing this film.

The slowly manifesting cancer once out of remission makes a reappearance in adulthood, the brothers having separated to pursue their independent futures, and the brothers are drawn back together upon the older brother's failing relationship with his wife as well as the younger brother's Bohemian lifestyle and need for money, wherein the younger brother in an attempt to rid himself of this cancer pursues an affair with his older brother's wife, giving rise to the title of this film.

This foreign film to me was very well planned and reflects upon real life on the big screen and yet is so well directed keeps one hanging in suspense as if it were a mystery film. The ending is a jewel as it is completely unexpected!

My mouth must have dropped jaw down on several occasions throughout La Mujer de mi Hermano. The trailers on television that advertised this film gave absolutely no indication as to what this movie was about, other than the intended belief, about an affair between a brother and his brother's wife. However, since little to no information was given about the film, the issues addressed in the film, or much anything other than the names of the actors, namely Barbara Mori and Christian Meier, I had no idea as to the plot or storyline and not in a million years.

Shockingly scandalous, this foreign film, its excellent cast and direction are a triumph for Latin American cinema and the world. A must see for all Spanish speakers, lovers of good foreign film, and drama in general. August 15, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...