Another slow-moving, barely edited film by Arturo Ripstein, this film creeps along at a snail’s pace and expects us to remain interested.
Ripstein should have been a theater director, as he cannot resist shooting films as if they were plays. His tableaux are simple and stagy, his dialogue overwrought and soap-opera-like, and his camera work uninspired. I don’t get the appeal of his work.
His films possess the melodramatic gaudiness, color, and unflinching eye of many south-of-the-border films I’ve seen, yet lack the zany humor and lust for life that I’ve witnessed in other Mexican film — evident, for example, in the work of Buquel (who greatly influenced Ripstein). Ripstein takes himself far too seriously, especially considering his interest in unusual characters in potentially comedic situations, and his works have a ponderous weight that drag them down
re: Woman of the Port, written up by admin – 1999.
I expect “admin” was having a busy day, with several dozen movies to “review”.
They have a predilection towards fast action and quick-cutting, as common amongst sad youth of today.
They have no interest or understanding of serious writing, serious film-making, serious intent.
They wish to get a mortgage while pretending to adhere to a bohemian lifestyle and outlook.
They are – for the most part – an irredeemable waste-product of our wonderfully streamlined and advanced culture.
Sorry for they !