Glasgow Film Festival 2019 Review – Gloria Bell (2024)

Gloria Bell, 2019.

Directed by Sebastián Lelio.
Starring Julianne Moore, John Turturro, Michael Cera andAlanna Ubach.

SYNOPSIS:

A 58-year-old woman in her prime seeks out love in the nightlife of L.A.

Sebastián Lelio’s sagacious outlook on the odyssey’s of everyday females, from the spirited to the despaired, is prevalent in much of his work. A leader of post-dictatorship Chilean cinema, his films have a sense of individuality that rebel and embrace taboos; A Fantastic Woman and Disobedience, both released over the past two years, tackle LGBT issues with succinct and powerful craft. Capping off this unofficial trilogy is a reimagining of one his earlier films, Gloria; this time changing the language, adding a Bell, a Moore and at one point, a Goonie.

Gloria Bell (Julianne Moore) is a long-time, single divorcee. At 58-years-old, she’s spright and brass, taking to clubs and bars at night, talking to strangers and dancing away like there’s no tomorrow. This seemingly idyllic, unperturbed lifestyle is broken by an unexpected romance in the form of Arnold (John Turturro), another disciple in the church of failed marriages, having been divorced for a year – Gloria responds: “Ah, recently” to which Arnold says “No, finally”.

In some ways they’re similar; they love meeting people on their moonlit escapades, they have an affinity for reciprocated affection (a scene in which Arnold pleads her not to go, followed with a racy shag, confirms this). However, the differences rise to the surface; Gloria constantly reaches for affection with her grown-up children (including a gleefully dry Michael Cera), who aren’t necessarily estranged, they’re just ignorant to themselves (Gloria has to make sure to add “it’s your mother” to the end of every voicemail). Whereas Arnold’s daughters are inexorably dependent on him, calling at all hours of the day over the slightest hiccup, painfully preventing him from having a post-divorce life of his own.

In tackling this quite mundane conflict, Lelio orchestrates conversations with unparalleled resonance and a naturalistic warmth. The storytelling is too slight, particularly in the opening stretch, which despite its delightful nature, lacks a tangible sense of direction for the forthcoming plot. Gloria’s initial courting with Arnold is fringed with cutesy touches, through their first dinner together and even going paint balling. But there’s a real depth to their growing relationship, sparks practically flying off the screen from the intensity of one another’s infatuation.That’s another thing, there’s a handsome amount of coitus in this movie, but the scenes are often deeply sensual, played with some charming levity, through the ripping off of waist trainers and what not.

It’s a case of the craft absolutely strengthening the (already terrific) performances. Alice Johnson Boher and Lelio’s script is astoundingly attuned to the flow of their character’s personalities, evoking laughs from perfectly timed tampon jokes but also finding empowerment from some late-act turns of glorious revenge.Natasha Braier’s cinematography is legitimately perfect, channelling her aptitude for vibrancy (as seen in The Neon Demon) but framing every exterior and interior with spot-on colouring and framing that connects you to the film in an almost spiritual way.

The way that Braier and Lelio first show you Arnold’s peering eyes across the dancefloor has a palpable, buttery sense of charisma. The contrast then at a dinner party with Gloria’s ex-husband, as the camera keeps Arnold’s despairing face looking on at the former couple’s ostracising jollity, is very effective. Turturro’s arc is gratingly repetitive, with quite heart-breaking reason, given more weight by his reliable turn. But it’s Moore who electrifies in an all-time performance that’s a testament to subtlety. The film is practically a single-hander, with supporting figures flowing in and out. It’s the perfect role for Moore to take on though, a character woven with internal conflict but also unadulterated joy, forced to tackle the lamentable and the cheerful through her saga of troubled love and coming to terms with herself as the years pass.

Matthew Herbert’s twinkling composition adds a layer of twilight fantasy to the narrative, brazenly unorthodox but rather dazzling. That, plus the mix of established power ballads as Gloria drives through the city, create a free-spirited mood that embodies the empowering story to a tee – right down to Laura Branigan’s eponymous classic that’ll send you dancing out your seat.

A quietly eccentric crowd-pleaser that shows off an extraordinarily nuanced performance from Moore.

Flickering Myth Rating– Film:★ ★ ★★ /Movie:★ ★★★

Cameron Frew is a film critic who can be found on Twitter @FrewFilm. You can also find him on Facebook, or send an email to cameronfrew97@gmail.com.

Glasgow Film Festival 2019 Review – Gloria Bell (2024)

FAQs

What is the meaning of the movie Gloria Bell? ›

Gloria Bell painfully conveys that this economic system thrives on our isolation. The 2018 movie Gloria Bell is a profound study of alienation and the human longing to break free from this condition, a condition which, as the movie foregrounds, is the dominant affect of life under late capitalism.

What happens at the end of Gloria Bell? ›

In the final scene, Gloria makes it to the wedding reception, apologizing for having missed the ceremony. She is asked by a random man to dance with him, but declines, a little dejected. But the song "Gloria" starts playing, and she gives in, getting onto the dance floor and dancing joyously, lost in the music.

What is the Gloria Bell movie about? ›

Is Gloria Bell a remake? ›

Gloria Bell is a 2018 comedy-drama film written and directed by Sebastián Lelio; it is an English language remake of Lelio's 2013 film Gloria.

What is the point of the Gloria? ›

While singing the Gloria, the assembly addresses and exalts the Lord our God who is proclaimed as the heavenly King and almighty Father. We praise, bless, adore, glorify and give thanks to him.

Is Gloria Bell worth watching? ›

Critics Reviews

[Julianne Moore] is always terrific, but she gives an especially terrific, well-rounded performance here. It's nuanced, vulnerable, strong, funny, emotionally rich and textured. Content collapsed. A well-observed, good character study, although something that you may have seen before.

Is Gloria Bell a true story? ›

But then she meets someone and her mostly stable life gets an unexpected jolt. While Gloria Bell isn't based on a true story, it does have an interesting origin: it's a scene-for-scene remake of a 2013 Chilean film called Gloria.

What is the poem in the movie Gloria Bell? ›

The poem that Arnold reads to Gloria is called "For a Young Friend Who Tried to Take His Own Life" by Chilean poet Claudio Bertoni. The role of Jeremy was originally written for Corey Feldman. Due to a shooting conflict, Feldman passed on the role and offered it to Sean Astin, a close friend of his.

Did Gloria Bell have a baby? ›

Bell was 13 years old when she gave birth to Malone's son; her family decided not to press charges against Malone because he was a "neighborhood kid" and because it's hard to pay child support from prison.

Where was Gloria Bell filmed? ›

Gloria Bell was filmed in Las Vegas, NV and had many local production crew working on the project. The film had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2018. It is scheduled to be released on March 8, 2019 by A24, so stay tuned!

What is the theme of Gloria? ›

'Gloria' explores dark, hilarious themes of ambition and loneliness.

Is the movie The Glorias based on a true story? ›

The Glorias is a 2020 American biographical-drama film directed and produced by Julie Taymor, from a screenplay by Taymor and Sarah Ruhl. The film is based upon My Life on the Road by Gloria Steinem who is represented by four actresses in the movie who portray her life in different ages.

Is Gloria Bell on Amazon Prime? ›

Prime Video: Gloria Bell.

What is the first Gloria movie? ›

Gloria is a 1980 American neo-noir crime thriller film written and directed by John Cassavetes.

What is the meaning behind the song Gloria? ›

In Jonathan King's English lyrics, Tozzi, who takes the role of the song's main character, tells that he is dreaming about an imaginary woman named Gloria. He describes his living days as misery, but when he dreams of Gloria, he says his nights are liberty.

What is the story behind the movie I Heard the Bells? ›

I Heard The Bells | Synopsis

Known as America's Poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow leads an idyllic life... until the day his world is shattered by tragedy. With a nation divided by Civil War and his family torn apart, Henry puts down his pen, silenced by grief.

What is the meaning of the bell at a funeral? ›

A death knell is the ringing of a church bell to announce the death of a person. Historically, it was the second of three bells rung around death, the first being the passing bell to warn of impending death, and the last was the lych bell or corpse bell, which survives today as the funeral toll.

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