Director: Sebastián Lelio
Talent: Paulina Garcia, Sergio Hernandez, Diego Fontecilla, Fabiola Zamora, Coca Guazzini
Release Date: 1st November 2013
Ignore the Spanish and this could be Frances Ha: the Later Years. That’s to say it manages to flesh out a demographic — the slightly-beyond-middle-aged woman — that never usually gets further than the two dimensional cut-outs beloved of advertising. In fact, Gloria is a success just because it manages to portray a notoriously misrepresented age in a realistic and erudite way.
Post-feminist semantics aside, what makes this an enjoyable film is its titular lead. Gloria is, as a person, incredibly likeable: attractive, intelligent, pro-active and sociable. This isn’t a Bridget Jones-esque self-discovery-cum-romance story; Gloria begins happy, if not completely content, and it’s a relationship with a man who can’t separate himself from his needy, grown-up children that adds the complications. It’s a domestic story that avoids descending into melodrama, thanks to an honest approach by director Sebastián Lelio. The result is a thoughtful and vivacious piece, important for the same reason it is entertaining.
Words: Eoghain Meakin
