In 'Gloria,' an Empty Nest, But Not an Empty Life

Gloria sometimes drinks alone but she is not burying her sorrows. Photos courtesy of Roadside Attractions.

IT did not go unnoted or unnoticed at the 51st New York Film Festival that several films featured or starred actresses of a certain age.

That is, women over 50 and, 60. They portray characters who are vital, vivacious and daring, rather than cougarish, spinsterish and matronly. That is, also women who are not robbed of any whiff of sensuality or sexuality.

Scottish actress Lindsay Duncan stars in two of them – “About Time” and “Le Week-end.”

French actress Isabella Huppert is a force of nature in “Abuse of Weakness (“Abus de Faiblesse”). And there is Paulina Garcia’s “Gloria.” It is among the films opening today in the United States and elsewhere (http://www.bit.ly/1awhGvW; see video below).

In a role that was literally tailor-made for her, the Chilean actress plays the title character. Gloria is divorced. Gloria is the mother of grown-and-gone children. Gloria is also having a coming-of-middle-age moment. These are not hot flashes and bursts of temper, but genuine episodes of a woman trying to find her way in her own personal new world order. “What to do now,” she seems to be asking.

She tries some hovering mothering, but quickly goes about her own business when her attempts are rebuffed by her young. Her business takes her to dancing clubs, on trips, to dinners with friends and wherever her fancy takes her. Gloria is lonely, but Gloria is also guileless and given to taking life by the horns.

PG effortlessly delivers a warm, tender and cuddly character portrait. In an understated performance, she never makes Gloria the kind of sympathetic character that one pities. Here is a woman who spent the bulk of her adult life doing one thing and now she has to switch gears or become stalled. It is what it is.

Gloria sees the world pretty clearly – with those “Tootsie"-inspired glasses, how can she not?! – particularly an undeserving suitor. Not to worry, Gloria puts him in his place.

Rodolfo (Sergio Hernández) proves to be a good teacher for Gloria (Paulina Garcia).

In “Gloria,” a smash in Chile, is a pleasing dash of real life without too much melodrama and enough humor to keep a smile on the face.

“Gloria” is rated R for sexual content, some graphic nudity, drug use and language; in Spanish with Englishe subtitles. Visit http://www.gloriamovie.com to learn more about the film.

NYFF 51 Day 5: 'About Time' for 'Jimmy P.'

HEAD’S UP: The 51st New York Film Festival is off to the races, and so are we. This year, we borrow a page from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York coverage, which borrowed a page from Twitter (http://www.ow.ly/pmqvr). To that end, all film reviews / comments will be 100 words or less. Yes, 100. Or less. Ready? Lights. Camera. ACTION! ...

FOR the witty take on time travel at the heart of “About Time,” Richard Curtis gathers what audiences have come to expect in the form of offbeat, oddball characters, including Lindsay Duncan and Bill Nighy.

A newcomer to the RC stable is all-grownup “Harry Potter” alum, Domhnall Gleeson. The young man, who is looking very much like a younger Boris Becker, comports himself admirably in the lead role. (See video at top).

“About Time” has a similar tone of earlier RC works, “Love, Actually” and “Four Weddings and a Funeral,” but cannot be accused of being derivative. In its North American premiere this evening at The 51st New York Film Festival, “About Time” is universally well-acted and delightful.

Also in its North American premiere today is “Jimmy P: Pychotherapy of a Plains Indian.” Based on a book by Georges Devereux, the film stars Benecio Del Toro as the patient of the title, and Mathieu Amalric as his therapist. It is set in 1940’s at Texas’ Menninger Clinic.

More offbeat characters. One from the Blackfoot Nation; the other a Hungarian Jew passing for French. The outsiders – beatdown by life in very different, yet not-so different ways – break, bond and heal through the prism of taking therapy. Masterful, but understated performances from the leads in this psychological drama. “Jimmy P: Pychotherapy of a Plains Indian” is moody, romantic and tense.

Visit http://www.filmlinc.com/nyff2013 to learn more about The 51st New York Film Festival, including tickets and showtimes.

NYFF 51 Day 3: 'Le Week-End' Almost Sinks a Marriage

HEAD’S UP: The 51st New York Film Festival is off to the races, and so are we. This year, we borrow a page from Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week New York coverage, which borrowed a page from Twitter (http://www.ow.ly/pmqvr). To that end, all film reviews / comments will be 100 words or less. Yes, 100. Or less. Ready? Lights. Camera. ACTION! ...

IN Roger Michell’s “Le Week-End,” a British couple journeys to Paris to celebrate 30 years of marriage.

Enter Meg (the illustrious Lindsay Duncan who also appears in “About Time,” which has its North American premiere at The 51st New York Film Festival) and Nick (Jim Broadbent.)

They spend the weekend bickering about nothing to the point of a breech, forcing circumstances to intervene in a most delightful way. Minutiae-heavy “Le Week-End,” in its U.S. premiere today, teeters toward boring but is saved by energy-bearing Jeff Goldblum as a colleague of university professor, Nick.

Here’s a one for folks over 50.

Visit http://www.filmlinc.com/nyff2013 to learn more about The 51st New York Film Festival, including tickets and showtimes.