European Films are renowned for their strong characters and story lines and in this sense the Spanish Director Jorge Torregrossa does not disappoint.
His film La Vida Inesperada (The Unexpected Life) is a melange of strong characters, powerful emotions and engrossing story line.
Although it may seem that the dual or multi-cultural (here Spanish/American) theme filmed in New York is reminiscent in style to the Woody Allen genre movies, (the Director's own description during the Q and A which followed the viewing) ie: reminds one of the theme of European born individuals living in the US or mixing with Americans, Jorge actually creates a unique atmosphere through his close ups and profile shots. He brings the emotions of the characters to the forefront rather than merely listing them within a Woody 'Allenish' atmosphere of quirkiness and strung up humour.
In this film, words in dialogue (writer as well as director credit here) are not just juxtaposed to create humour and fleeting relationships between ships that meet in the night. In Jorge's film and in contrast to this, the main protagonists actually work towards a clear denouement of their feelings and some real closure in the sense of who they are and where they end up.
The film presents a rich cast of characters- almost too many to remember and list here- but all working together to portray or support the personalities of Juan and his cousin (who comes to visit him from Alicante in New York.)
The idea of the film is in essence a portrayal of the emotional journey of European/here Spanish immigrants to the US/here New York, working to find themselves or follow their dreams outside their home towns.
Shots of New York locations are very endearing indeed but the true power of this film lies in the discovery of happiness within oneself and ones relationship to another kindred spirit.
Juanito may give up a dream he once thought was necessary to his happiness but finds instead something much more precious in a form of return to his roots (his father's work legacy) and through unexpectedly falling in love with his own personal version of 'Minnie Mouse'; a loving, loyal and sweet tempered honest woman whom he views differently to all others in his life and past, whom he respects and who surprises him being somewhat outside his usual type of woman but who in fact he discovers to be his other half and his window to happiness.
The references to this woman as Minnie and to himself as Mickey adds a layer of joy to the film since we think of those Disney characters as truly happy in an ever after sort of way.
Granted this film is very real in how it shows the grey areas in human nature, for instance how certain men and women view relationships with each other- simultaneously at times- in a versatile and free thinking way, but closure is found in a kindred spirit and a monogamous relationship in the end.
Juanito is courageous enough to give up his fake dream (once thought to be necessary) and to find happiness in acknowledging his roots and in losing himself in the woman he loves.
His Primo (cousin) although also finding love in NY, chooses to remain as he is because he is perhaps because he is not quite ready to give it all up for love. Each in their own time perhaps is also the message here.
The mother in the film as well as the two cousins provide strong humour and the script is well supported by the actors' skills.
Mother, son and cousin have differing perspectives and apparently differing views but are in fact found to be very similar. The stereotypical portrayal of the Spanish mother and the Spanish family are funny but also indicative of how strongly culture can influence ones life.
The differences in traits between cultures are highlighted throughout the movie but what stands out in the end is how similar we all are once our happiness is found within another or with one another.
Mickey and Minnie may not have a Disney type romance because life is not Disney but they can and do find true and long lasting happiness in each other through the thick and thin and the ups and downs of real life.
The 'real' mice in the theatre scene (romantic and intimate scene between Juanito and his Minnie: JoJo who was saving herself for someone special here Juanito) are in strong contrast with the image of Mickey and Minnie as 'special' mice with atypical personalities.
Perhaps Jorge here meant to point out that although we think all types are similar and often unwanted like mice, certain special mice, unique in their own way stand out as atypical and surprise us.
This is the unexpected at its most magical and beautiful.
Expect the unexpected in La Vida Inesperada, a hundred mice may repulse us but for each Mickey there is a Minnie.
Definitely a Real but also Feel Good Film worth watching.
The Beginning.
His film La Vida Inesperada (The Unexpected Life) is a melange of strong characters, powerful emotions and engrossing story line.
Although it may seem that the dual or multi-cultural (here Spanish/American) theme filmed in New York is reminiscent in style to the Woody Allen genre movies, (the Director's own description during the Q and A which followed the viewing) ie: reminds one of the theme of European born individuals living in the US or mixing with Americans, Jorge actually creates a unique atmosphere through his close ups and profile shots. He brings the emotions of the characters to the forefront rather than merely listing them within a Woody 'Allenish' atmosphere of quirkiness and strung up humour.
In this film, words in dialogue (writer as well as director credit here) are not just juxtaposed to create humour and fleeting relationships between ships that meet in the night. In Jorge's film and in contrast to this, the main protagonists actually work towards a clear denouement of their feelings and some real closure in the sense of who they are and where they end up.
The film presents a rich cast of characters- almost too many to remember and list here- but all working together to portray or support the personalities of Juan and his cousin (who comes to visit him from Alicante in New York.)
The idea of the film is in essence a portrayal of the emotional journey of European/here Spanish immigrants to the US/here New York, working to find themselves or follow their dreams outside their home towns.
Shots of New York locations are very endearing indeed but the true power of this film lies in the discovery of happiness within oneself and ones relationship to another kindred spirit.
Juanito may give up a dream he once thought was necessary to his happiness but finds instead something much more precious in a form of return to his roots (his father's work legacy) and through unexpectedly falling in love with his own personal version of 'Minnie Mouse'; a loving, loyal and sweet tempered honest woman whom he views differently to all others in his life and past, whom he respects and who surprises him being somewhat outside his usual type of woman but who in fact he discovers to be his other half and his window to happiness.
The references to this woman as Minnie and to himself as Mickey adds a layer of joy to the film since we think of those Disney characters as truly happy in an ever after sort of way.
Granted this film is very real in how it shows the grey areas in human nature, for instance how certain men and women view relationships with each other- simultaneously at times- in a versatile and free thinking way, but closure is found in a kindred spirit and a monogamous relationship in the end.
Juanito is courageous enough to give up his fake dream (once thought to be necessary) and to find happiness in acknowledging his roots and in losing himself in the woman he loves.
His Primo (cousin) although also finding love in NY, chooses to remain as he is because he is perhaps because he is not quite ready to give it all up for love. Each in their own time perhaps is also the message here.
The mother in the film as well as the two cousins provide strong humour and the script is well supported by the actors' skills.
Mother, son and cousin have differing perspectives and apparently differing views but are in fact found to be very similar. The stereotypical portrayal of the Spanish mother and the Spanish family are funny but also indicative of how strongly culture can influence ones life.
The differences in traits between cultures are highlighted throughout the movie but what stands out in the end is how similar we all are once our happiness is found within another or with one another.
Mickey and Minnie may not have a Disney type romance because life is not Disney but they can and do find true and long lasting happiness in each other through the thick and thin and the ups and downs of real life.
The 'real' mice in the theatre scene (romantic and intimate scene between Juanito and his Minnie: JoJo who was saving herself for someone special here Juanito) are in strong contrast with the image of Mickey and Minnie as 'special' mice with atypical personalities.
Perhaps Jorge here meant to point out that although we think all types are similar and often unwanted like mice, certain special mice, unique in their own way stand out as atypical and surprise us.
This is the unexpected at its most magical and beautiful.
Expect the unexpected in La Vida Inesperada, a hundred mice may repulse us but for each Mickey there is a Minnie.
Definitely a Real but also Feel Good Film worth watching.
The Beginning.
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