Mararía

This Spanish picture is an enjoyable story with an interesting characterizing about a few characters , tragic drama and colorful outdoors . Based on a novel by Rafael Arozarena who used his native Islas Canarias background to write an overblown tragic drama novel , being screen-written by the same filmmaker Antonio Jose Betancort . Located in Lanzarote, Canary Islands, Spain , there arrives a new Basque Doctor (Carmelo Gomez) who falls in love with gorgeous 'Mararía' (Goya Toledo) , fostered daughter to witch Herminia (Mirta Ibarra) . Later on , there arrives by plane an English volcano expert (Iain Glen) and Mararia becomes pregnant , turning the young medic exceedingly jealous.

The film contains human drama , passion , emotion , tragical events , Canarian habits , complemented with a loving triangle . These elements provide the setting for this piece of dramatic deeds , giving it its own special quality and ambient . In addition , there are brief exploration about Canarias native way of life with their rites , customs , ceremonies , superstitions and mythologies . Being wonderfully filmed on location in Lanzarote and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands , Spain . Top-notch protagonist trio , Carmelo Gomez-Goya Toledo-Iain Glenn , all of them give fine acting . The storyline relies heavily on the continued relationship among them but it doesn't make boring , however the film is slow moving . Goya Toledo is marvelous and charming with her sweet and enjoyable countenance . Good support cast formed by a plethora of notorious Spanish actors , such as Mirta Ibarra as Herminia , José Manuel Cervino as Marcial , Manuel Manquiña as Geito , Francisco Casares as D. Leandro and Antonio Dechent as Lazaro . Colorful and evocative cinematography by Juan Ruiz Anchia who has been making a prestigious career in Hollywood , such as Close range , House of game and River runs black , here he shows splendidly the impressive landscapes . Sensitive and emotive soundtrack by the musician and singer Pedro Guerra , including catching songs . The film was deservedly winner three Goya Awards , including best cinematography and best new actress , Goya Toledo . The motion picture was well directed by Antonio Jose Betancort (1942-2006) who was born and died in Tenerife , Islas Canarias . He was a good filmmaker , little prolific , he only directed ¨Valentina¨ with Anthony Quinn , its following ¨1919 Cronica Del Alba¨ and TV episodes for series as ¨Juglar y Reina¨ and ¨Paisaje Con Figuras¨ . Rating : 7 , better than average , worthwhile watching .

In general, this is an excellent film that reflects with great detail the time in which action develops (50's). Costumes, ambientation, and over all, a wonderful photography (the best of the film) gives you a clear idea of life in Lanzarote in that years. If you have read the book, don't expect an exact transliteration. New characters and situations are included, and the end in particular have a great change (personally, I prefer the book one). Anyway, its worth seeing it. A nice passions history with a great ambientation.

Starting from the Spanish saying `Hay amores que matan' – there are loves that kill - Rafael Arozarena used his native Lanzarote background to write a tragic drama novel placed uncomfortably in the 30s and 40s. I say `uncomfortably' because the Spanish Civil War, only fleetingly mentioned in passing, takes only a very slight part in the development of the story. A beautiful `Mararía' (Goya Toledo) falls in love with an English geologist (Ian Glen) and becomes pregnant, making the young Basque doctor (Carmelo González), who is most definitely in love with her, exceedingly jealous. But it is not until after a six-year interruption due to the civil war that the film reaches its predictable and tragic outcome. The classical triangle structure. Nothing remarkably special, either in the story or in the actors. Underlined by the fact that Goya Toledo is definitely much more beautiful in real life than in this film. What is attractive is the scenario: the island of Lanzarote, the fourth largest island in the Canary Group. It is largely on volcanic soil such that the old lava flows can be used for rather unusual cultivation techniques, such as lush-green spring onions growing in black soil; or those little green bushes growing at the bottom of round shallow holes, which are in fact wine bushes and produce a tasty natural wine, mostly at the island's principle wine centre, Mozaga, a few kilometres north east of Yaiza, where most of the film is shot. The wine bushes grow out of these shallow man-made holes so as to be protected from the wind, which is a constant factor on Lanzarote. But these holes also have the double effect of being useful for collecting the dew which then trickles down to the base of the plant as the sun comes up. The newer volcanic areas form the part which is now called Timanfaya National Park, just 3 kms north of Yaiza, offering landscapes which are practically desert. No, the camels were not imported for the film: they form one of the long-standing tourist attractions on the island. Also of certain interest is some of the music played by local people in the bar using local melodies, including a dance version of a `jota'. Apart from that, Pedro Guerra´s musical apportation was rather like the rest of the film: predictable tremendism and lacking that touch of harmonious good taste. The film has its interesting points, but all in all it does not quite succeed in getting you into the story. I can only give it 5½ out of 10, being a little generous.

Rich cinematography, the customs of 1940 s era (and possibly still today's) outing islands in the Canary chain. Lust, and provincial prejudices produce a highly watchable, and enjoyable film that is more than just a love story.

"Mararía" really disappointed me. I can't consider it as a bad movie, but the development just seemed too rushed and non-believable for it to evoke any emotions. Dr. Fermín displays some unprecedented bizarre behaviour out of a passion that one can't really understand where it was born from. I mean, how many times does he ever have a conversation with Mararía?? Maybe once? Also, Mararía never appeared to be a real character, instead more like a film stereotype that just needed to be in the movie (...or else another title was needed?). Some of the best acting came from a role that wasn't really important to the story, that of Marcial, the sub-intelligent yet humble drunkard. Of course, the scenery, the cultural tidbits of the Canary Islands, and other "wow" moments were interesting, but the movie fell short of a documentary (in case this was its real intention), and most importantly, as a solid drama.