Mararía (1998) User Reviews

Emotive drama about a loving triangle with engaging interpretation , breathtaking cinematography and acceptable direction

[ma-cortes · 7/10 · 25 December 2012]

This Spanish picture is an enjoyable story with an interesting characterizing about a few characters , tragic drama and colorful outdoors . Based on a novel by Rafael Arozarena who used his native Islas Canarias background to write an overblown tragic drama novel , being screen-written by the same filmmaker Antonio Jose Betancort . Located in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain , there arrives a new Basque Doctor (Carmelo Gomez) who falls in love with gorgeous 'Mararía' (Goya Toledo) , fostered daughter to witch Herminia (Mirta Ibarra) . Later on , there arrives by plane an English volcano expert (Iain Glen) and Mararia becomes pregnant , turning the young medic exceedingly jealous.

The film contains human drama , passion , emotion , tragical events , Canarian habits , complemented with a loving triangle . These elements provide the setting for this piece of dramatic deeds , giving it its own special quality and ambient . In addition , there are brief exploration about Canarias native way of life with their rites , customs , ceremonies , superstitions and mythologies . Being wonderfully filmed on location in Lanzarote and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands , Spain . Top-notch protagonist trio , Carmelo Gomez-Goya Toledo-Iain Glenn , all of them give fine acting . The storyline relies heavily on the continued relationship among them but it doesn't make boring , however the film is slow moving . Goya Toledo is marvelous and charming with her sweet and enjoyable countenance . Good support cast formed by a plethora of notorious Spanish actors , such as Mirta Ibarra as Herminia , José Manuel Cervino as Marcial , Manuel Manquiña as Geito , Francisco Casares as D. Leandro and Antonio Dechent as Lazaro . Colorful and evocative cinematography by Juan Ruiz Anchia who has been making a prestigious career in Hollywood , such as Close range , House of game and River runs black , here he shows splendidly the impressive landscapes . Sensitive and emotive soundtrack by the musician and singer Pedro Guerra , including catching songs . The film was deservedly winner three Goya Awards , including best cinematography and best new actress , Goya Toledo . The motion picture was well directed by Antonio Jose Betancort (1942-2006) who was born and died in Tenerife , Islas Canarias . He was a good filmmaker , little prolific , he only directed ¨Valentina¨ with Anthony Quinn , its following ¨1919 Cronica Del Alba¨ and TV episodes for series as ¨Juglar y Reina¨ and ¨Paisaje Con Figuras¨ . Rating : 7 , better than average , worthwhile watching .

Bleak, but not boring

[dressage-1 · 6/10 · 29 January 2006]

I feel I must comment on the newly redone cover for the video. The original was true to the story with Mararia looking off into the distance not into eyes of the other main character, & not physically touching. It was symbolic of the two sides of a triangle, with that third very important side missing. It was true to the story which is one of unrequited love. As we all know love triangles, especially of the passionate in the extreme Latin kind, can never end well for any of the characters involved. The plot twists were not enough to keep you guessing but did keep you a bit off balance. The final denouement was not completely unexpected, understanding the hot blooded temperaments which are heavily underlined throughout. But the characters still held a somewhat cardboard feel. Not enough depth to understand what really drove them and indeed most of the town to the extremes we witness. We have to accept that for some never explained reason, they all find Mararia irresistible. She's pretty, but not that pretty. It was fairly good but could have been much better if we understood "why?" The one exception would be Iain Glen's character. You are never in doubt what motivates him. But the others, male and female leave me wondering.

Predictable tragical tremendism

[khatcher-2 · 5/10 · 21 April 2001]

Starting from the Spanish saying `Hay amores que matan' – there are loves that kill - Rafael Arozarena used his native Lanzarote background to write a tragic drama novel placed uncomfortably in the 30s and 40s. I say `uncomfortably' because the Spanish Civil War, only fleetingly mentioned in passing, takes only a very slight part in the development of the story. A beautiful `Mararía' (Goya Toledo) falls in love with an English geologist (Ian Glen) and becomes pregnant, making the young Basque doctor (Carmelo González), who is most definitely in love with her, exceedingly jealous. But it is not until after a six-year interruption due to the civil war that the film reaches its predictable and tragic outcome. The classical triangle structure. Nothing remarkably special, either in the story or in the actors. Underlined by the fact that Goya Toledo is definitely much more beautiful in real life than in this film. What is attractive is the scenario: the island of Lanzarote, the fourth largest island in the Canary Group. It is largely on volcanic soil such that the old lava flows can be used for rather unusual cultivation techniques, such as lush-green spring onions growing in black soil; or those little green bushes growing at the bottom of round shallow holes, which are in fact wine bushes and produce a tasty natural wine, mostly at the island's principle wine centre, Mozaga, a few kilometres north east of Yaiza, where most of the film is shot. The wine bushes grow out of these shallow man-made holes so as to be protected from the wind, which is a constant factor on Lanzarote. But these holes also have the double effect of being useful for collecting the dew which then trickles down to the base of the plant as the sun comes up. The newer volcanic areas form the part which is now called Timanfaya National Park, just 3 kms north of Yaiza, offering landscapes which are practically desert. No, the camels were not imported for the film: they form one of the long-standing tourist attractions on the island. Also of certain interest is some of the music played by local people in the bar using local melodies, including a dance version of a `jota'. Apart from that, Pedro Guerra´s musical apportation was rather like the rest of the film: predictable tremendism and lacking that touch of harmonious good taste. The film has its interesting points, but all in all it does not quite succeed in getting you into the story. I can only give it 5½ out of 10, being a little generous.

Very good, but not great drama of love and obsession

[planktonrules · 7/10 · 3 July 2006]

This is an extremely beautiful movie that was filmed in the stark landscape of the Canary Islands. The film begins with a rather restrained and dull young man coming from Spain to be the island's doctor. One of his servants is the young Mararía and the doctor does not appear to show any great interest in her.

Later, an English vulcanologist arrives and is instantly smitten with the girl. They soon begin screwing like sex-crazed weasels and she plans on their upcoming marriage. But, the Englishman is a jerk and has no intention of marrying her--even when she becomes pregnant. When the doctor hears this, he murders the Englishman and stuffs him and his belongings into one of the volcanic vents. But despite her being jilted, the woman insists the Englishman will return one day.

Soon afterwards, the doctor is drafted and does not return for almost six years. When he does, he is obsessed with the woman and even tries to force himself on her. She refuses to marry him (who would after being pawed like that?). Later, he tells her he murdered the Englishman and she should stop waiting and marry him. She naturally reacts to this and he tries to rape her. She then tosses herself into a fire and the movie ends.

While much of the plot is quite interesting, it switches from intelligently written and compelling to stupid and inexplicable--thus reducing the film's impact. Having the doctor kill the Englishman was not a bad idea, but then to be SO obsessed and attacking the girl repeatedly made no sense--especially after he had previously shown little interest in her. Plus, her tossing herself into the fire, while cool to watch, made little sense. It's a shame because with a few tweaks, it could have been a much better film. Still, despite its flaws, it's worth seeing.

Coulda Been A Contender (Spoilers)

[Berezina · 7/10 · 27 December 2001]

Pointed evocation of life in one of the lesser Canaries during the time of the Spanish Civil War, which brings out the claustrophobia & isolation in its small town, as well as the strangeness of the island's volcanic landscape. The best thing, though, is the dramatic structure: we meet the Islanders through a Basque doctor sent to be the local medico. He spots Mararia one morning, & it's a more convincing version of the thunderbolt scene from "The Godfather". She wants him too, as much as a means of escape as for his own qualities (though he's quite handsome), but his conservatism & diffidence defer the sparking of a relationship. Now, one expects the film to be the story of how he learns to embrace her & her people, or doesn't. But then an English vulcanologist shows up, & Mararia, again, desperate for escape, flirts with him instead: more successfully than with the doctor, becoming pregnant with his child, & obtaining a promise of marriage. Seeing all this from the doctor's perspective provides a fascinatingly Latin variation on a Henry James theme. Alas, the film plunks for melodrama, not being content to carry the doctor off to his lonely conclusion. The second part, set after the war, is even worse. The end is nearly unwatchable. Still, this is a film you ought to see.

Original surroundings for a stunning drama.

[raymond-15 · 7/10 · 27 July 2002]

Set in the Canary Islands the location commands our immediate attention. The rough terrain is of volcanic origin and hot spots among the rocks can ignite a bundle of furze in a matter of seconds. We see that plants are nourished in nest-like excavations and down by the sea there is a network of saltlakes. To add to the unique atmosphere we see camels being used as a mode of transport. A strange place indeed! And what of the inhabitants? In such an isolated place it is understandable they seem somewhat bored with life. There is the pub of course and the adjacent dance hall....but not much else. They seem to be a superstitious lot believing that the ghosts of the dead can reappear from the sea.

Into this scene comes the rather quiet and conservative Fermin (Carmelo Gonzalez) a doctor to whom Mararia becomes instantly attracted. Not long afterwards an English vulcanologist (Iain Glen) arrives to survey the volcanic surroundings.

Following a rather quiet beginning, the film now takes on a sense of real drama. Beautiful Mararia discovers she is pregnant and on her wedding day it seems that her would-be husband the vulcanologist has disappeared with all his instruments. Now it is time to rid the house of all its evil spirits so Mararia's godmother gets busy weaving her magic spells.

When in years later Mararia's beautiful young child disappears it is just too much for Mararia to bear.

The film then races to a dramatic climax down by the sea. If you believe that the ghosts of the dead will rise up from the sea, think again. The ending is both tragic and unforgettable.

Not a good documentary, much less a good drama.

[Flakinde · 4/10 · 15 February 2003]

"Mararía" really disappointed me. I can't consider it as a bad movie, but the development just seemed too rushed and non-believable for it to evoke any emotions. Dr. Fermín displays some unprecedented bizarre behaviour out of a passion that one can't really understand where it was born from. I mean, how many times does he ever have a conversation with Mararía?? Maybe once? Also, Mararía never appeared to be a real character, instead more like a film stereotype that just needed to be in the movie (...or else another title was needed?). Some of the best acting came from a role that wasn't really important to the story, that of Marcial, the sub-intelligent yet humble drunkard. Of course, the scenery, the cultural tidbits of the Canary Islands, and other "wow" moments were interesting, but the movie fell short of a documentary (in case this was its real intention), and most importantly, as a solid drama.

Beautifully filmed story of 40 s life in the Canary Islands

[gonz30 · 8/10 · 25 April 1999]

Rich cinematography, the customs of 1940 s era (and possibly still today's) outing islands in the Canary chain. Lust, and provincial prejudices produce a highly watchable, and enjoyable film that is more than just a love story.

Excellent film, but don't expect a copy of the book

[Netito · 8/10 · 8 November 2000]

In general, this is an excellent film that reflects with great detail the time in which action develops (50's). Costumes, ambientation, and over all, a wonderful photography (the best of the film) gives you a clear idea of life in Lanzarote in that years. If you have read the book, don't expect an exact transliteration. New characters and situations are included, and the end in particular have a great change (personally, I prefer the book one). Anyway, its worth seeing it. A nice passions history with a great ambientation.