Gloria (****1/2)

"Gloria" is the little film that could, and actually does quite well. A small, arthouse film from Chile, this is a fantastic portrait of a woman who doesn't allow her increasing years to put a stopper on living. Quirky, odd, and at times melodramatic, this movie focuses on a very particular story to cover a wide range of emotions.

We meet Gloria. She lives vicariously. Smokes, drinks, a woman who seems to be the life of the party. She is divorced. Throughout the film, we learn little tidbits about her: her two children, her ex-husband, her upstairs neighbors who constantly bicker, and a Sphynx cat that constantly finds its way into her apartment.

As the story goes, she meets a man, Rudolfo. He owns an amusement park of sorts, and the two strike up a passionate affair. He also is divorced, has two children, and a strong attachment to them. Part of the drama comes as the two find different ways to cope with their families. Gloria feels perhaps more entitled - in a seat of power. Since she has been single longer, perhaps she knows more about how to live as a divorcee. Rudolfo, on the other hand, supports his family financially and doesn't see their relationship as anything inappropriate. One scene shows Gloria taking Rudolfo to her son's Birthday party, where he meets Gloria's ex-husband and her children. To Gloria, this is the way to bring a significant other to a family event. To Rudolfo, it's anything but appropriate.

The main reason to talk about this film is Paulina Garcia, the wonderful actress who plays Gloria. At times happy-go-lucky and at times borderline neurotic, its a fantastic performance that should generate more praise that I feel is being delivered. In a time when major movies fail to write strong female roles for older women, this is a movie that shows exactly what Hollywood is missing.

There's not a lot to cheer about, nor is the film satisfied in leaving us with all the answers. In fact the movie bookends with nearly the same scene. Is she unaffected by her past romances as she would lead others to believe? Or perhaps she lives a lonely, little life beneath a glowing facade of exuberance and socializing. I think depending on how you interpret "Gloria," we have either the most uplifting or depressing films of the year. Who's to say for sure?

(Awards potential: Best Foreign Film, Best Actress (Garcia), Best Original Screenplay)