Memorable, crazy movie

An action-packed slog

A bit overrated, but still an amazing film

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Anthony Quinn, Gian Carlo Gianini, Keanu Reeves and Debra Messing lead an unfamiliar cast in a compelling romantic drama of two people who accidentally meet in the aftermath of changes which the second world war brought to California. At one end of the spectrum Gianini plays a traditional Mexican father trying to hold onto a nineteenth century Mexican family aspiration in the Napa Valley. At the other end Reeves plays an Illinois orphan whose failed one night San Francisco marriage and severe battle shell shock make him yearn for what he considers a traditional home and family. The two lock first philosophy and then violent horns and traditions in a series of unrelated, unexpected melodramatic events which bring Keanu closer to Gianini's daughter thus forever changing both of their outlooks on life. Brilliantly photographed, edited and acted.

Having seen this in maybe 1996, it was a long time ago. I still remember feeling ill at ease at the acting of Reeves and even Aitana and the awkward way the plot was carried and scenes were wrenched. Now thinking about it, I remember and feel much. I wish to see this movie yet again to see why I remember the emotion I felt then, so well, so many years later. I came to like Reeves awkward style and I miss not seeing again the inner beauty of Aitana that seems to outshine her looks (not easy), I guess Italy is the luckier. It also is a fond memory for Anthony Quinn . I should try and find "The Machinist". Well then, just out of sappy compassion I gave it another star, even though I over rated it before. There is more than meets the eye.

There are very few truly great romance movies. They have to have to have humor, along with the heart. They should have good acting, but mediocre acting is usually acceptable in romance movies. Most importantly, they have to control their clichéd corny cheesiness. Romance movies have a hard time from avoiding all the clichés, and this had some of the worst, clichéd, cheesiest moments ever. Unrealistic turn of events leading to a contrived, terrible love story.Paul (Keanu Reeves) has just gotten home from war, and all he wants to see is his wife. Unfortunately, his wife is nowhere to be seen, and is actually at home avoiding his letters. There was really no point in even giving him a wife, because she's out of the picture for the most part, and we move on to the actual plot, which is a shame, because Debra Messing is actually kind of amusing in a ditsy, over the top role....too bad. Paul is on his way to a grape field for his chocolate selling work, when he accidentally helps, falls on, gets thrown up on, and switches tickets with this nice young Hispanic woman, Victoria. After many more odd turn of events, he ends up pretending to be married to her. Then the plot switches to a slightly better, but still awful version of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner. Victoria's Mexican father is very built on Spanish beliefs, so naturally he doesn't like Keanu Reeves, the gringo. The plot develops, Keanu Reeves remains emotionless in his performance, and it only gets stupider as it goes along. Anthony Quinn is annoying, but gives a pretty good performance, and so does Giancarlo Gianni as the overprotective father. Other than a few performances and an interesting musical score, this is a real loser of a film.My rating: * out of ****. 100 mins. PG-13 for sensuality.

I was very eager to watch this movie and finally had the time to watch it this afternoon. What a disappointment! The setting is picturesque, the story romantic and the characters well cast, but the screenplay is flawed. The dialogs between Paul (Keanu Reeves) and Victoria (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon) are lame and have a staccato effect which hampers the fluidity of expression. Furthermore I felt that Keanu Reeves was struggling to stay in character and match the passion exuded by Aitana. It is the minor characters who ultimately salvage the movie with their wit and colourful personalities.If you like romance with substance then this movie will disappoint you.However,the film is worth watching for its Keatsian setting oozing with passion and its few lovable minor characters.