The first hour or so of this film is terribly boring and pointless. I understand that they wanted to develop the back story of each of the main characters, and the interrelations between them, but they drew it out way too much. If you are using an ensemble cast, you cannot devote so much time developing each one, as your would with a singular lead character. Storytelling has to actually move along the story, and in the first hour or so, this film fails to do so. My review of the first hour: Pretty costumes, elaborate sets, and veteran actors does not automatically make a film entertaining. I'd give the first hour a rating of 1 out of 10.
*SPOILERS* The last 50 minutes or so (the box lists the run time as 120 minutes, but the credits start at 1:53) of this film are amazing. We really feel for the characters, as tragedies strike their lives, and moving moments abound, for example twin brothers being separated by death, a beautiful actress contracting a skin destroying disease, a mother realizing she has been totally pushed out of her beloved daughter's life, etc. The last 50 minutes or so are very entertaining. I would rate the second half of this film a 10 out of 10, a masterpiece of cinema and storytelling.
Among all the big name veteran actors, I believe the best performances were given by the twins Michael and Mark polish, playing Esteban and Manuel. Also great performances by Geraldine Chaplin as the Abbess and Adrianna Dominguez as Pepita. Gabriel Byrne gave a great performance as Brother Juniper, but his best scenes were in the second half of the film. Also, Harvey Keitel playing Uncle Pio wasn't very good in the first half, but he gave a strong performance in the second half.
I'd like to give this film a 7, because the second half was so strong, but I guess to be fair, if over half deserves a 1, and a little less than half deserves a 10, I should probably give it a 5.
If you can get through the first hour or so, it is worth it to see the last 50 minutes or so. The first half will not interest you at all, but the second half will interest you a great deal.
*SPOILERS* The last 50 minutes or so (the box lists the run time as 120 minutes, but the credits start at 1:53) of this film are amazing. We really feel for the characters, as tragedies strike their lives, and moving moments abound, for example twin brothers being separated by death, a beautiful actress contracting a skin destroying disease, a mother realizing she has been totally pushed out of her beloved daughter's life, etc. The last 50 minutes or so are very entertaining. I would rate the second half of this film a 10 out of 10, a masterpiece of cinema and storytelling.
Among all the big name veteran actors, I believe the best performances were given by the twins Michael and Mark polish, playing Esteban and Manuel. Also great performances by Geraldine Chaplin as the Abbess and Adrianna Dominguez as Pepita. Gabriel Byrne gave a great performance as Brother Juniper, but his best scenes were in the second half of the film. Also, Harvey Keitel playing Uncle Pio wasn't very good in the first half, but he gave a strong performance in the second half.
I'd like to give this film a 7, because the second half was so strong, but I guess to be fair, if over half deserves a 1, and a little less than half deserves a 10, I should probably give it a 5.
If you can get through the first hour or so, it is worth it to see the last 50 minutes or so. The first half will not interest you at all, but the second half will interest you a great deal.