When I think of this movie I think of warmth. Warmth between the characters, but in particular the warmth of the filming. Short of Bertolucci I can't remember a movie where the use of warm, rich colors and lighting added so much to the effect, an effect augmented by the gentle guitar score. The story of a heart attack precipitating a reevaluation of life's meaning for successful Buenos Aires restaurateur Rafael Belvedere could have been played to emphasize the painful aspects, but what we get here is a tender, sympathetic, often humorous, treatment. The emphasis is on the changes in Rafael's relationships - with his aging parents, his young daughter, and his significant other.
The treatment is not overly sentimental. There are moments of anguish such as when Rafael signs over his restaurant (that had been founded by his parents) to a large chain. That scene is filmed to stress the difficulty of the decision. The scenes with Rafael's mother, who is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, are poignant. And there is no completely smooth sailing in Rafael's relationships after his crisis, but they become more meaningful and complex.
There are some scenes that are very touching, like when Rafael reads an emotionally significant poem written by his daughter and winds up with the question, "Why hadn't I read this before."
I was conflicted in my reaction to one of the central plot points dealing with Rafael's father's desire to give his wife a church wedding, the one thing that he felt he had not given her. I could appreciate the sentiment, but ultimately leaned toward Rafael's initial reaction, "It's crazy dad. She won't even notice."
The idea that a good part of happiness lies in recognizing, accepting, and appreciating what we have is not new, but the delivery of that message in "Son of the Bride" makes for an engaging film.
P.S. Be sure to catch the scene inserted into the middle of the closing credits.
The treatment is not overly sentimental. There are moments of anguish such as when Rafael signs over his restaurant (that had been founded by his parents) to a large chain. That scene is filmed to stress the difficulty of the decision. The scenes with Rafael's mother, who is suffering from Alzheimer's Disease, are poignant. And there is no completely smooth sailing in Rafael's relationships after his crisis, but they become more meaningful and complex.
There are some scenes that are very touching, like when Rafael reads an emotionally significant poem written by his daughter and winds up with the question, "Why hadn't I read this before."
I was conflicted in my reaction to one of the central plot points dealing with Rafael's father's desire to give his wife a church wedding, the one thing that he felt he had not given her. I could appreciate the sentiment, but ultimately leaned toward Rafael's initial reaction, "It's crazy dad. She won't even notice."
The idea that a good part of happiness lies in recognizing, accepting, and appreciating what we have is not new, but the delivery of that message in "Son of the Bride" makes for an engaging film.
P.S. Be sure to catch the scene inserted into the middle of the closing credits.