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| Movie Review: Nora's Will Alternate Title: Tying Up Loose Ends
Story: It is hard to imagine
that a film where the main character commits suicide on the eve of Passover
can be both funny and heartwarming but this gem from Mexico is just
that. First time director and writer Mariana Chenillo
has hit one out of the ballpark. Nora, on her 14th attempt at suicide finally
manages to be successful. She somehow is able to reach out beyond the
grave to get her atheist husband, the stubborn surrounding Rabbinical
community and a host of other wonderful characters to bend to her will
and follow her subliminal messages. Family secrets are slowly revealed as they prepare
to bury Nora. Do you have to be Jewish to enjoy this wonderful splice
of life? Certainly not - but it couldn't hurt. Watch the trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBxSBH2ELjI Acting: Fernando Luján as José is simply
wonderful. The entire supporting cast including: Juan Pablo Medina (Young
José), Silvia Mariscal (Nora), Marina de Tavira (Young Nora),
Cecilia Suárez (Bárbara), Ari Brickman (Rubén),
Verónica Langer (Aunt Leah), Enrique Arreola (Moisés)
and Angelina Peláez (Fabiana) deserve awards. Trivia: Nora's Will was the big winner at this year's
Ariel Awards, held in Mexico City on Tuesday, April 13th. The Ariel
Awards are Mexico's most prestigious film prize, and this year the Mexican
Film Academy named Cinco Dias Sin Nora (Nora's Will) the Best Picture
of the Year! Nora's Will was also awarded Best First Work, Best Original
Screenplay, Best Actor (Fernando Luján), Best Supporting Actress
(Angelina Peláez), Best Original Score and Best Makeup. Writer/Director
Mariana Chenillo is the first female director to win an Ariel Award
for Best Picture.
Predilection: I like to see award winning films and
also like films with Jewish themes.
Critters: A cat.
Food: The film revolves around the preparation of
a Passover Seder so food is a big part of the film. Some hilarity will
fill the theater when the atheist husband orders a pizza with sausage.
Sex Spectrum: None
Opening Titles: All titles are superimposed as we
watch a faceless Nora prepare for her suicide.
Visual Art: The attention to detail is wonderful
in these richly appointed Mexican apartments.
Weather: Warm
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I paid attention throughout
Predictability Level: There were a few surprises.
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: Why not?
Big Screen or Rental: Go for the big screen when
it comes to your area.
Length: 90 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 8
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