The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

Yes, absolutely, there is fun to be had, as well as many, many things to go boom, all amid an atmospheric urban jungle.

Sebastien Lelio's film 'Gloria' tells the story of a middle-aged divorcée, increasingly feeling herself a bit part in other people's lives. So she decides to go dating, and does so with gusto, rediscovers her sexual side, and after eventually being let down by a man, recovers her zim by exacting a revenge. The film has strengths: showing the sex life of someone who doesn't look like a movie star, and nicely capturing the its protagonist's lust for life made fragile by her underlying fears of old age and redundancy. And yet ultimately there's not a lot of significance here. It never feels as if Gloria's new partner is ever going to be more than a bit of fun for her; when it turns out to be less fun than she expected, that's a shame, but hardly a tragedy. There's certainly a measure of truth in the story; but a bit more story in the story wouldn't have hurt.

Searching round for films to view for the IMDb's Film Festival page event,I found Gloria a title that I could not track down anywhere.Looking round for TV shows on the British DVD site Network,I was surprised to discover that they had put Gloria out,which led to me getting ready to finally meet Gloria.The plot:Seeing her children move away after she has been divorced for 12 years,Gloria decides that she is not going to let the twilight years of life pass her by.Hitting the bars and clubs,Gloria starts dating (and sleeping with) a number of guys.Hitting things off on the dance floor,Gloria catches the attention of recent divorcée Rodolfo.Falling for Rodolfo,Gloria begins asking Rodolfo if he can introduce her to his family.Caught by surprise, Rodolfo soon reveals to Gloria that he is not as free-spirited as her.View on the film:Swaying the film to a soundtrack that includes Disco classics and Latin Pop,co-writer/(along with Gonzalo Maza) director Sebastián Lelio follows Gloria in jagged hand-held shots,which give the title an intimate atmosphere.Whilst the camera moves undercover hidden sides to Gloria,the screenplay by Lelio & Maza runs hot and cold,with the focused on Gloria's care free personality being constantly pushed aside for a romantic relationship which lacks emotional intimacy.Giving Gloria a strikingly confident flirtatiousness, Paulina García gives a wonderful performance as Gloria,thanks to García delicately expressing Gloria's physical intimacy whilst keeping her happy go lucky attitude burning bright,in a film that is far from glorious.

Gloria Cumplido (Paulina García) is a 58-year-old divorcée. She's generally friendly but deeply lonely. She does yoga. She goes to a dance club for older folks. She meets Rodolfo Fernández (Sergio Hernández) and immediately gets into a passionate sexual relationship. He refuses to let her meet his family. At her son's birthday dinner, he sneaks out without telling her. She is devastated and breaks up with him. She's diagnosed with glaucoma. She eventually tries again with Rodolfo but this time, he walks out on her at a restaurant while on vacation.The most compelling aspect of this movie is that old people get naked and have single people sex. I guess that's unusual in the movie world. Gloria has a compelling long road of self discovery in this movie. Paulina García plays it a little too understated for my taste. I would have liked her to be more explosive and more urgent. The movie is generally slow and quiet. There are some sly humor but nothing that is laugh worthy. Also what's the deal with Rodolfo? It's the most confounding weird idiocy that he keeps walking out on her. If I was her, I would be wondering if he's delirious or suffered a head injury. I just don't get Rodolfo.

"Gloria" (2013 release from Chile; 100 min.) brings the story of Gloria (played by Paulina Garcia), a fifty-something divorced woman. As the movie opens, we find Gloria in a dance club with Donna Summer's "I Feel Love" blasting away. Gloria is alone, but certainly not lonely. She loves to dance, and she attracts the attention of others. Pretty soon, Gloria makes the acquaintance of Rodolfo, a sixty-something who is also divorced, yet emotionally still close to his ex-wife and even more so his two grown daughters. Meanwhile, we get to also know Gloria's grown kids: her son Pedro is taking care of a new baby, and her daughter Ana is involved with her boyfriend from Sweden. To tell you much more would spoil your viewing experience, you'll just have to see for yourself how it all plays out.Several comments: first, this is one great 'little' movie about the free-spirited Gloria. One can't help but marvel at the "joie de vivre" which Gloria lives by, even if things are not always easy or don't always go her way. Second, what can you say about the towering performance from Paulina Garcia in the title role! She is in virtually every frame of the movie, and she will blow you away. She brings a daring performance on every level. Co-star Sergio Hernandez as romantic interest Rodolfo is pretty good too. Beware: there are a number of nude scenes between these two, which may make uncomfortable viewing for some. I must say that I am surprised--and disappointed--that Paulina Garcia, who has won a number of international prizes for this performance (including "Best Actress" at the 2013 Berlin Film Festival, where this movie premiered), did not even get nominated for a Best Actress Oscar. Third, there are a couple of key scenes in the movie that will stay with you, none better in my opinion than the awkward family reunion on Pedro's birthday, with Gloria's ex-husband and his new wife, and Gloria introducing Rodolfo to her family for the first time. Just watch what happens. Last but not least: there is a ton of great music in the movie, including of course Umberto Tozzi's late 70s classic "Gloria" (Laura Branigan's cover version a few years later became a monster hit in the US).This movie reminded me of the 1978 classic "An Unmarried Woman" starring Jill Clayburgh (I think she even won the Best Actress Oscar for this). Certainly these two movies are similar in spirit, if nothing else. "Gloria" opened last weekend at my local art-house theater here in Cincinnati, and when I went to see it this weekend, the matinée screening was surprisingly well attended, which is great news. If you are in the mood for a top-notch foreign movie with stellar performances, you cannot go wrong with this. "Gloria" is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!