Antonio is a 6 year old boy who forms a special relationship with an enigmatic woman who comes to live with his family. Her name is Ultima and she’s a curandera, which is a traditional folk healer with ties to the supernatural realm. Labeled as a witch by some, she becomes a mentor of sorts to the young Antonio who gives him a new perspective while living in the highly volatile environment of his village.
There’s a lot to recommend in Bless Me Ultima. The cinematography is beautiful and some of the vignettes are charming. When the school kids stare at little Antonio for bringing a burrito to lunch instead of a sandwich, you can empathize with his insecurity. Director Carl Franklin (One False Move, Devil in a Blue Dress) nicely captures period detail in this document of Chicano culture of rural New Mexico in the early ’40s. The drama does a nice job at explaining why the child is torn by conflicting ideologies. Ultima is shunned by the townspeople as a witch, yet whenever someone is sick, they appeal to her for help. His father wants him to ride the open plains but his mother wishes him to be a priest. Strangely, despite all this, his crisis of faith doesn’t quite captivate the emotions as it should.
Bless me Ultima is based on Rudolfo Anaya’s widely read and critically acclaimed 1972 novel. A major work of Mexican-American literature in classrooms, it has been contested at times due to its adult language and sympathetic view of the occult. Although the themes of religion vs. mysticism are addressed, the conflict doesn’t really resonate. Actress Miriam Colon is appropriately mysterious and benevolent as Ultima but young actor Luke Ganalon is vague as a character. Given to blank stares as events happen, he fails to truly engage as our lead protagonist. His spiritual development is key to the narrative, but his odyssey seems kind of perfunctory. I suspect the story will probably resound more with people who have read the source text and can fill in the book’s deeper handling of Antonio’s cultural and ideological struggle. This coming-of-age tale is pleasant enough, but it could’ve been so much more.
9 Responses
I remember growing up hearing about these types of women who could heal with earthly medicines and remedies. I never identified them as being witches. Just very talented healers. Having said that, this movie brought back those memories to me. It was good and I enjoyed it , but it could’ve been better. I thought the little boy was a little too quiet, but good. Also 3 stars.
A witch is associated with something evil. Yet Ultima was trying to heal people. That’s good. Yet it wasn’t really clear where or how she derived her power. She could be very sweet as she was very protective of little Antonio. However you definitely did not want to cross her as she could be vindictive with the curses.
Never heard of the book, but this story certainy sounds like a promising basis for a film. I love the concept of a child torn between cultural influences and I remember Franklin recreating a similar period extremely well in Devil in a Blue Dress. It’s disappointing to hear that the protagonist’s emotional journey isn’t as affecting as it could have been.It isis funny how a community will ostracize someone for their beliefs and then turn around to ask them for help when it’s convenient. Hypocrisy at its best.
It’s an interesting film. There were moments that were really involving. I think a lot of what you take away will be what you bring to it. For example, readers of the book will enjoy this more.
Maybe if I check it out at some point I’ll try to read the book first.
I haven’t heard of the movie or the book but it does sound very interesting.
It only opened in 263 theaters and the count is dropping every week. It’s interesting enough, but not something you need to rush out to see.
I like the sound of this but I think I’d rather read the book.
I think you’re on the right track