Again, like last night, I logged on with the intentions of writing a
movie review ... and, again, it ain't gonna happen.Tonight we watched
Volver, and I enjoyed it. It was quite unlike anything I've seen before. Penelope Cruz did some great work in the main role, and she was beautiful, besides. Click here and check out her visage on the movie's official poster and packaging ... like a young Sophia Loren, only prettier. She really was outstanding in the film.But my enjoyment of this Spanish-language film was hampered, even ruined at times, by some odd subtitles. Did I write
odd? Downright friggin' weird is probably a better way to describe it. And the fact that the story itself is pretty weird only heightened my confusion. For instance, at one point, Penelope Cruz's character sings a song that is apparently called
Volver. The lyrics to which oughta give the viewer an idea of the significance of the movie's title. But for some reason, the words of the song weren't included in the subtitles. It was a nice song, it sounded pretty, it clearly included the word "Volver," and I'd have liked to know what it was all about. So I was distracted and a little frustrated by that.So rather than write the
movie review I'd wanted to write, I've been fruitlessly looking around the net for a translation of the lyrics, although I can't be sure what the song is called in Spanish. A guy ought not have to do this kind of thing after the fact in order to better feel that he enjoyed a movie.I've put the disc in the PC to show you some of what I'm talking about ...At another point in the movie, Penelope's character (who is running a restaurant) complements her barmaid on her drink-mixing skills:
To which the barmaid responds:
I, uh... well, OK. I think I know what you mean, and I might even agree, but ... uh ... what?I don't think that's technically
incorrect translating ... but it sure is a bit odd. It's not as odd, of course, as the infamous Chinese bootleg subtitles for
Star Wars:
But it was a bit off-putting, nonetheless.Anyway, once I got past the subtitle issue and just tried to enjoy the movie, I
did enjoy it. Now, it is an odd movie. It's very strange. The story involves attempted rape and murder and someone who may or may not be a ghost. And it's one of those movies that features a number of heroic and/or sympathetic female characters and a pack of lecherous, disgusting male characters. And I think I mentioned the subtitle issue.But, in spite of all that, the movie is more good than bad. Cinematically, it's really very good. All the critics I had heard were right about two things: Penelope Cruz turns in an outstanding performance, and the movie's visual pallet is beautiful.And Penelope makes for some dang nice eye-candy, besides.So see
Volver if you're in the mood for something a bit odd with no likable male characters and some weird subtitles. If I were gonna write a full-on review, I'd probably give it three out of four stars.Source
