Son of the Bride (2002)

Yawn. Poorly Filmed Snooze Fest.

Such a frustrating disappointment

In truth, there is barely enough story here to make a film.

One of the film's great tricks is that, for a time, you think it will go down a rabbit hole of unrealistic glorification.

This film has made my day! It's one of those movies where you don't really have any expectations, other than just being entertained for 120 minutes or so - and then they blow you away!It's a heartwarming story, which I'm sure has been portrayed many times and in many ways, but I don't think ever as brilliantly as in this film. It goes way beyond entertainment. It makes you reflect on your own whole life.Héctor Alterio's acting is sheer perfection. Hardly ever have I seen an actor so convincing. When he looks at his wife, stricken by Alzheimer's, with his warm smile and his eyes glistening, not for a second did I think he was acting, as I felt he really did mean it. The love being conveyed by him seemed so genuine, and it touched my heart to the very core.This film is a true gem!

''El Hijo de la novia'' is a comedy about a stressed man called Rafael Belvedere that is full of responsibilities and problems in his life. He assumed the restaurant that his father founded and is always living in his shadow because of that. The restaurant also demands his entire time, making him almost not have time for his mother( who suffers from Alzheimer) his daughter and even his girlfriend. One day, Rafael suffers a heart attack that compels him to think better about his life, making him realize how wrong he was doing many things. He also reunites with his childhood friend Juan Carlos, that becomes an important piece of his story, helping him to deal with many things that happens in his life.I liked this movie because even having its predictable moments, deals with many themes in a more real way that many comedies usually does, like Rafael's and Naty's relationship or even his mother relationship with him. It is also a very sweet movie, since it is impossible to not like the cute relationship between Rafael's parents( Can you imagine how sweet is to be married for so many years and still be in love with the same person?).The only I didn't like very much, was the fact that movie has some very slow moments that helped me to feel a little bored, but this is a person opinion, so, maybe many people will not even notice or care.

In 'El Hijo de la Novia', director Juan José Campanella tells the story of a workaholic 42-year old divorced father who has unstable relationship with his daughter and girlfriend and who's father, after 44 years of marriage, wants to remarry his mother who's struck by Alzheimer's disease. But things take a different turn when he has a stroke. Campanella tells a sweet tale of self discovery or rather self rediscovery accompanied by a playful score. He does present the culture quite well as one does get the feel of the local Argentinian life. Héctor Alterio and Norma Aleandro give very spirited performances and they are a treat to watch. Ricardo Darin is adequate while Natalia Verbeke and Eduardo Blanco are very good. In spite of gaining widespread acknowledgement, 'El Hijo de la Novia' remains a small humble little film. I liked how the relationships were portrayed and how the characters and problems were very recognizable. Nino's love for Norma was very moving. The only quibble for me was that the pacing was very slow midway so it requires some patience from the viewer but in the end es una película divertida que eleva. Make sure to watch it through the rolling end credits.

This is a beautiful film for all generations. The acting was fabulous. It is a perfect melding of direction, acting, script, sound track, and cinematography. This film is a profoundly important movie because it deals with identifiable everyday-life emotions/issues that are universal. It is the story of a human life and it's tragedies and triumphs within the context of a vocation and life. There were so many things that were good in this movie that it's hard to list them all in a short review, but the way it blended real life & real love with friendship and family and how we respond to the power that they have over us is what makes this movie magic. What a masterpiece! Enjoy the movie and enjoy yourself! The ending is so beautiful.