Gloria

The song “Gloria” that was a smash hit for Laura Branigan in 1982 was first sung by Umberto Tozzi with Italian lyrics in 1979. You’ll hear the later version of the song near the end of Gloria the movie, which was Chile’s selection for the foreign language Oscar in 2013. It didn’t get a nomination incidentally. For my tastes I prefer the remake because its extra bouncy kick is upbeat and inspiring. The original, while pleasant is more romantic with a starry-eyed flavor.

I can see why the filmmakers chose Tozzi’s version though. Its softer beats actually befits the film. Gloria is 58, divorced and single. She’s rather nondescript but she wears these super large glasses that compare to the spectacles Dustin Hoffman wore in Tootsie. Come to think of it, Gloria looks a lot like Tootsie. Anyway, she’s been single for 12 years so perhaps a little desperation has set in. She’s tired of being lonely. She spends her nights hanging out in dance clubs that play the disco music of her youth. She’s looking for love by seeing a succession of men her own age, but the affairs lead to nothing lasting. Then she meets Rodolfo (Sergio Hernández), a man in his mid 60s. Could he be the one?

Gloria is sympathetic up to a point, but she also makes a lot of really bad choices. We have the insider’s view, watching her relationship with Rodolfo when they‘re together. He is an ex-naval officer, who is recently divorced with two needy adult daughters. He is taken with Gloria and she with him. But he doesn’t even want to tell them of his new love for fear they will laugh at their old man. They call his cell phone constantly when they’re together. Their interactions involve the occasional sexual encounter. The actors bare all for their director. Sebastián Lelio proudly flaunts the nudity of people over 50 as if the lack of restraint deserves acclaim. Gloria ultimately introduces Rodolfo to her own family at a special dinner party. Then he inexplicably leaves for questionable reasons. “Grow a pair!” she demands out of exasperation. This type of insensitive behavior happens several times. You want her to just leave him, but she keeps coming back. Apparently he is all she has.

Gloria as a movie isn’t particularly innovative. It feels like some rediscovered relic from the 70s highlighting the liberated single woman character wronged by men. Here she is a vibrant older woman who, once married, must now come to terms with being alone. Her emotional journey to make peace with her current state in life is where the story mines its drama. The entire film rests on the performance of its titular star. Gloria is highlighted by Paulina García. She craves passion and it’s hard not to care about her predicament. We sympathize with her for awhile. But Rodolfo’s conduct grows more inconsiderate and less tolerable. He’s weak and ineffectual. We do not share in her attraction to this man. Her decision to keep going back to him is a little frustrating and after awhile, enabling. Laura Branigan sang, “Are the voices in your head calling, Gloria?” Because if they are, don’t answer them, Gloria. Just walk away.