An understated, yet extremely powerful movie.
When I first saws the film several years ago, I knew relatively little about Garcia Lorca, yet I was so moved that it spurred me to read Ian Gibson's biography on Lorca, and consume the Andalusian's poetry with passion. Oh, the genius that was Lorca!
Though the film may have taken liberties with history and the tragic Spanish Civil War, it nonetheless exposes the American public to Lorca -- whom it may be argued, may be the best Spanish poet of all time. For at least that much, we have to be thankful for.
Andy Garcia is stirring as the passionate, yet politically-naive Lorca, especially when reciting lines from the poet's "Lament for Ignacio Sanchez Meijas" (At Five In The Afternoon) as if in a near-state of frenzy or delirium. In fact, I believe this is his best role to date! Esai Morales is equally good as Ricardo, the expatriate reporter trying to get the low-down as to how his childhood hero met his eventual fate during the Spanish Civil War. James Edward Olmos was a bit over the top for me as the enigmatic Lozano, but credible. Relatively-unknown Marcella Walerstein (Maria Eugenia) is eye-candy as Ricardo's love interest and Miguel Ferrer was a bit wooden, as the villain, Centeno.
The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca is an otherwise, dark movie with more than a hint of film noir, but definitely well worth viewing -if not for the gorgeous shots of the Andalusian countryside and its various cities and locales. The costumes are great and the scenes of the Flamenco-dancing gypsies in tiny, cave-restaurants add flavor and soul to the movie. Although at times, Disappearance can be a trifling difficult to follow, especially with everyone seemingly giving Ricardo the run-around. I must say, that after watching the film for the first time, I literally sat on my couch mesmerized, wanting to cry for the poet. Within hours, I had purchased a copy of the movie.
Director Marcos Zuringa is to be commended for taking the high road, the road less traveled. Instead of bringing forth another culturally-void film experience, he and Andy Garcia have given us at least a hint of the genius that was Lorca with this, "The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca" -- an Iberian gem and a "must see" for those in search of a meaningful movie experience. Defintely a "keeper" for your video library.
I give it ****!
When I first saws the film several years ago, I knew relatively little about Garcia Lorca, yet I was so moved that it spurred me to read Ian Gibson's biography on Lorca, and consume the Andalusian's poetry with passion. Oh, the genius that was Lorca!
Though the film may have taken liberties with history and the tragic Spanish Civil War, it nonetheless exposes the American public to Lorca -- whom it may be argued, may be the best Spanish poet of all time. For at least that much, we have to be thankful for.
Andy Garcia is stirring as the passionate, yet politically-naive Lorca, especially when reciting lines from the poet's "Lament for Ignacio Sanchez Meijas" (At Five In The Afternoon) as if in a near-state of frenzy or delirium. In fact, I believe this is his best role to date! Esai Morales is equally good as Ricardo, the expatriate reporter trying to get the low-down as to how his childhood hero met his eventual fate during the Spanish Civil War. James Edward Olmos was a bit over the top for me as the enigmatic Lozano, but credible. Relatively-unknown Marcella Walerstein (Maria Eugenia) is eye-candy as Ricardo's love interest and Miguel Ferrer was a bit wooden, as the villain, Centeno.
The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca is an otherwise, dark movie with more than a hint of film noir, but definitely well worth viewing -if not for the gorgeous shots of the Andalusian countryside and its various cities and locales. The costumes are great and the scenes of the Flamenco-dancing gypsies in tiny, cave-restaurants add flavor and soul to the movie. Although at times, Disappearance can be a trifling difficult to follow, especially with everyone seemingly giving Ricardo the run-around. I must say, that after watching the film for the first time, I literally sat on my couch mesmerized, wanting to cry for the poet. Within hours, I had purchased a copy of the movie.
Director Marcos Zuringa is to be commended for taking the high road, the road less traveled. Instead of bringing forth another culturally-void film experience, he and Andy Garcia have given us at least a hint of the genius that was Lorca with this, "The Disappearance of Garcia Lorca" -- an Iberian gem and a "must see" for those in search of a meaningful movie experience. Defintely a "keeper" for your video library.
I give it ****!