Pantagonik Film Group
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The magnificent Norma Aleandro plays the title character in this feel-good Argentine road movie that will be particularly appealing to female audiences. As Cleopatra, a dissatisfied older woman who embarks on a life-changing drive from Buenos Aires to the Andes in the company of a younger soap opera actress, Aleandro gives an atypically buoyant performance that is as endearing as it is often hysterically funny. A huge hit in its native country, "Cleopatra" recently received a rousing reception at is U.S. unveiling at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
Cleopatra, so named because her father ran a repertory theater company and was in love with the classics, is a retired schoolteacher whose 37-year marriage to her unemployed, depressed husband (Hector Alterio) has hit a definite rut. Now selling cosmetics door-to-door, Cleopatra has long given up her dreams of being an actress, but when the chance comes up to audition for a soap opera, she impulsively grabs it, only to disastrously freeze like a stone in the process.
She does, however, meet the gorgeous Sandra (Argentine soap star Natalia Oreiro), who is at a similar crossroads in her life. Her career micro-managed by her domineering husband (Boy Olmi), Sandra is fed up with the demands of stardom and longs for anonymity. Striking up a quick friendship with Cleopatra, she impulsively cuts her trademark luxurious hair and sets out on a road trip with the older woman. This results in a series of predictable but entertaining adventures, most notably Sandra's budding romantic relationship with a hunky cattleman who has no idea of her fame.
While the screenplay (co-written by director Eduardo Mignogna and Silvina Chague) is fairly rudimentary in its themes, it does provide a marvelous vehicle for the two actresses, who play beautifully off each other. Aleandro, best known in the U.S. for her harrowing Oscar-nominated role in "The Official Story", is a delight as Cleopatra, her most priceless moment being a lengthy single-take scene in which she delivers hilarious body language while joyfully singing along with the car radio. She's also particularly effective in the scenes in which she talks directly to the camera, well demonstrating her ability to establish a rapport with the audience. The beautiful Oreiro, clearly enjoying her co-star's comedic antics, manages to hold her own and infuses her often-volatile character with a surprising degree of sympathy.
The episodic story line loses steam along the way, and not all of the plot elements -- such as Cleopatra's poignant reunion with an old lover -- are as well developed as they should be. But most filmgoers will be more than happy that they went along for the ride.the movie's climax.
As one can see from this synopsis, characters and story are woefully thin. Even the villains (Gerard Rudolf, Ali Al Ameri) do little more than furrow their brows. The movie exists for its splendid vistas and the final horse race. These elements do justify "Stallion", but if the Mouse wants to pursue Imax features, much more dramatic meat will have to go into the storytelling.
Young Tamini, who has ridden horses virtually all her life, makes a credible heroine even though little is asked of her as an actress. The other actors are stranded by the weak dramatic material.
Production designer Paul Peters and costume designer Jo Katsaras give the film a Moroccan feel. William Ross' score also is a plus, though it contains more than a hint of Maurice Jarre's musical themes from "Lawrence of Arabia".
THE YOUNG BLACK STALLION
Buena Vista Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures
Credits:
Director: Simon Wincer
Screenwriter: Jeanne Rosenberg
Based on the book by: Walter Farley and Steven Farley
Producers: Fred Roos, Frank Marshall
Executive producers: Jeanne Rosenberg, Kathleen Kennedy
Director of photography: Reed Smoot
Production designer: Paul Peters
Music: William Ross
Costume designer: Jo Katsaras
Editors: Bud Smith, Terry Blythe
Cast:
Neera: Biana G. Tamimi
Ben Ishak: Richard Romanus
Aden: Patrick Elyas
Rhamon: Gerard Rudolf
Mansoor: Ali Al Ameri
Kadir: Andries Rossouw
MPAA rating: G
Running time -- 51 minutesG-13>Emma: Dina Waters
Michael: Marc John Jefferies
Megan: Aree Davis
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The magnificent Norma Aleandro plays the title character in this feel-good Argentine road movie that will be particularly appealing to female audiences. As Cleopatra, a dissatisfied older woman who embarks on a life-changing drive from Buenos Aires to the Andes in the company of a younger soap opera actress, Aleandro gives an atypically buoyant performance that is as endearing as it is often hysterically funny. A huge hit in its native country, "Cleopatra" recently received a rousing reception at is U.S. unveiling at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
Cleopatra, so named because her father ran a repertory theater company and was in love with the classics, is a retired schoolteacher whose 37-year marriage to her unemployed, depressed husband (Hector Alterio) has hit a definite rut. Now selling cosmetics door-to-door, Cleopatra has long given up her dreams of being an actress, but when the chance comes up to audition for a soap opera, she impulsively grabs it, only to disastrously freeze like a stone in the process.
She does, however, meet the gorgeous Sandra (Argentine soap star Natalia Oreiro), who is at a similar crossroads in her life. Her career micro-managed by her domineering husband (Boy Olmi), Sandra is fed up with the demands of stardom and longs for anonymity. Striking up a quick friendship with Cleopatra, she impulsively cuts her trademark luxurious hair and sets out on a road trip with the older woman. This results in a series of predictable but entertaining adventures, most notably Sandra's budding romantic relationship with a hunky cattleman who has no idea of her fame.
While the screenplay (co-written by director Eduardo Mignogna and Silvina Chague) is fairly rudimentary in its themes, it does provide a marvelous vehicle for the two actresses, who play beautifully off each other. Aleandro, best known in the U.S. for her harrowing Oscar-nominated role in "The Official Story", is a delight as Cleopatra, her most priceless moment being a lengthy single-take scene in which she delivers hilarious body language while joyfully singing along with the car radio. She's also particularly effective in the scenes in which she talks directly to the camera, well demonstrating her ability to establish a rapport with the audience. The beautiful Oreiro, clearly enjoying her co-star's comedic antics, manages to hold her own and infuses her often-volatile character with a surprising degree of sympathy.
The episodic story line loses steam along the way, and not all of the plot elements -- such as Cleopatra's poignant reunion with an old lover -- are as well developed as they should be. But most filmgoers will be more than happy that they went along for the ride.the movie's climax.
As one can see from this synopsis, characters and story are woefully thin. Even the villains (Gerard Rudolf, Ali Al Ameri) do little more than furrow their brows. The movie exists for its splendid vistas and the final horse race. These elements do justify "Stallion", but if the Mouse wants to pursue Imax features, much more dramatic meat will have to go into the storytelling.
Young Tamini, who has ridden horses virtually all her life, makes a credible heroine even though little is asked of her as an actress. The other actors are stranded by the weak dramatic material.
Production designer Paul Peters and costume designer Jo Katsaras give the film a Moroccan feel. William Ross' score also is a plus, though it contains more than a hint of Maurice Jarre's musical themes from "Lawrence of Arabia".
THE YOUNG BLACK STALLION
Buena Vista Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures
Credits:
Director: Simon Wincer
Screenwriter: Jeanne Rosenberg
Based on the book by: Walter Farley and Steven Farley
Producers: Fred Roos, Frank Marshall
Executive producers: Jeanne Rosenberg, Kathleen Kennedy
Director of photography: Reed Smoot
Production designer: Paul Peters
Music: William Ross
Costume designer: Jo Katsaras
Editors: Bud Smith, Terry Blythe
Cast:
Neera: Biana G. Tamimi
Ben Ishak: Richard Romanus
Aden: Patrick Elyas
Rhamon: Gerard Rudolf
Mansoor: Ali Al Ameri
Kadir: Andries Rossouw
MPAA rating: G
Running time -- 51 minutesG-13>Emma: Dina Waters
Michael: Marc John Jefferies
Megan: Aree Davis
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
Pantagonik Film Group
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The magnificent Norma Aleandro plays the title character in this feel-good Argentine road movie that will be particularly appealing to female audiences. As Cleopatra, a dissatisfied older woman who embarks on a life-changing drive from Buenos Aires to the Andes in the company of a younger soap opera actress, Aleandro gives an atypically buoyant performance that is as endearing as it is often hysterically funny. A huge hit in its native country, "Cleopatra" recently received a rousing reception at is U.S. unveiling at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
Cleopatra, so named because her father ran a repertory theater company and was in love with the classics, is a retired schoolteacher whose 37-year marriage to her unemployed, depressed husband (Hector Alterio) has hit a definite rut. Now selling cosmetics door-to-door, Cleopatra has long given up her dreams of being an actress, but when the chance comes up to audition for a soap opera, she impulsively grabs it, only to disastrously freeze like a stone in the process.
She does, however, meet the gorgeous Sandra (Argentine soap star Natalia Oreiro), who is at a similar crossroads in her life. Her career micro-managed by her domineering husband (Boy Olmi), Sandra is fed up with the demands of stardom and longs for anonymity. Striking up a quick friendship with Cleopatra, she impulsively cuts her trademark luxurious hair and sets out on a road trip with the older woman. This results in a series of predictable but entertaining adventures, most notably Sandra's budding romantic relationship with a hunky cattleman who has no idea of her fame.
While the screenplay (co-written by director Eduardo Mignogna and Silvina Chague) is fairly rudimentary in its themes, it does provide a marvelous vehicle for the two actresses, who play beautifully off each other. Aleandro, best known in the U.S. for her harrowing Oscar-nominated role in "The Official Story", is a delight as Cleopatra, her most priceless moment being a lengthy single-take scene in which she delivers hilarious body language while joyfully singing along with the car radio. She's also particularly effective in the scenes in which she talks directly to the camera, well demonstrating her ability to establish a rapport with the audience. The beautiful Oreiro, clearly enjoying her co-star's comedic antics, manages to hold her own and infuses her often-volatile character with a surprising degree of sympathy.
The episodic story line loses steam along the way, and not all of the plot elements -- such as Cleopatra's poignant reunion with an old lover -- are as well developed as they should be. But most filmgoers will be more than happy that they went along for the ride.the movie's climax.
As one can see from this synopsis, characters and story are woefully thin. Even the villains (Gerard Rudolf, Ali Al Ameri) do little more than furrow their brows. The movie exists for its splendid vistas and the final horse race. These elements do justify "Stallion", but if the Mouse wants to pursue Imax features, much more dramatic meat will have to go into the storytelling.
Young Tamini, who has ridden horses virtually all her life, makes a credible heroine even though little is asked of her as an actress. The other actors are stranded by the weak dramatic material.
Production designer Paul Peters and costume designer Jo Katsaras give the film a Moroccan feel. William Ross' score also is a plus, though it contains more than a hint of Maurice Jarre's musical themes from "Lawrence of Arabia".
THE YOUNG BLACK STALLION
Buena Vista Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures
Credits:
Director: Simon Wincer
Screenwriter: Jeanne Rosenberg
Based on the book by: Walter Farley and Steven Farley
Producers: Fred Roos, Frank Marshall
Executive producers: Jeanne Rosenberg, Kathleen Kennedy
Director of photography: Reed Smoot
Production designer: Paul Peters
Music: William Ross
Costume designer: Jo Katsaras
Editors: Bud Smith, Terry Blythe
Cast:
Neera: Biana G. Tamimi
Ben Ishak: Richard Romanus
Aden: Patrick Elyas
Rhamon: Gerard Rudolf
Mansoor: Ali Al Ameri
Kadir: Andries Rossouw
MPAA rating: G
Running time -- 51 minutesG-13>Emma: Dina Waters
Michael: Marc John Jefferies
Megan: Aree Davis
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- The magnificent Norma Aleandro plays the title character in this feel-good Argentine road movie that will be particularly appealing to female audiences. As Cleopatra, a dissatisfied older woman who embarks on a life-changing drive from Buenos Aires to the Andes in the company of a younger soap opera actress, Aleandro gives an atypically buoyant performance that is as endearing as it is often hysterically funny. A huge hit in its native country, "Cleopatra" recently received a rousing reception at is U.S. unveiling at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival.
Cleopatra, so named because her father ran a repertory theater company and was in love with the classics, is a retired schoolteacher whose 37-year marriage to her unemployed, depressed husband (Hector Alterio) has hit a definite rut. Now selling cosmetics door-to-door, Cleopatra has long given up her dreams of being an actress, but when the chance comes up to audition for a soap opera, she impulsively grabs it, only to disastrously freeze like a stone in the process.
She does, however, meet the gorgeous Sandra (Argentine soap star Natalia Oreiro), who is at a similar crossroads in her life. Her career micro-managed by her domineering husband (Boy Olmi), Sandra is fed up with the demands of stardom and longs for anonymity. Striking up a quick friendship with Cleopatra, she impulsively cuts her trademark luxurious hair and sets out on a road trip with the older woman. This results in a series of predictable but entertaining adventures, most notably Sandra's budding romantic relationship with a hunky cattleman who has no idea of her fame.
While the screenplay (co-written by director Eduardo Mignogna and Silvina Chague) is fairly rudimentary in its themes, it does provide a marvelous vehicle for the two actresses, who play beautifully off each other. Aleandro, best known in the U.S. for her harrowing Oscar-nominated role in "The Official Story", is a delight as Cleopatra, her most priceless moment being a lengthy single-take scene in which she delivers hilarious body language while joyfully singing along with the car radio. She's also particularly effective in the scenes in which she talks directly to the camera, well demonstrating her ability to establish a rapport with the audience. The beautiful Oreiro, clearly enjoying her co-star's comedic antics, manages to hold her own and infuses her often-volatile character with a surprising degree of sympathy.
The episodic story line loses steam along the way, and not all of the plot elements -- such as Cleopatra's poignant reunion with an old lover -- are as well developed as they should be. But most filmgoers will be more than happy that they went along for the ride.the movie's climax.
As one can see from this synopsis, characters and story are woefully thin. Even the villains (Gerard Rudolf, Ali Al Ameri) do little more than furrow their brows. The movie exists for its splendid vistas and the final horse race. These elements do justify "Stallion", but if the Mouse wants to pursue Imax features, much more dramatic meat will have to go into the storytelling.
Young Tamini, who has ridden horses virtually all her life, makes a credible heroine even though little is asked of her as an actress. The other actors are stranded by the weak dramatic material.
Production designer Paul Peters and costume designer Jo Katsaras give the film a Moroccan feel. William Ross' score also is a plus, though it contains more than a hint of Maurice Jarre's musical themes from "Lawrence of Arabia".
THE YOUNG BLACK STALLION
Buena Vista Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures
Credits:
Director: Simon Wincer
Screenwriter: Jeanne Rosenberg
Based on the book by: Walter Farley and Steven Farley
Producers: Fred Roos, Frank Marshall
Executive producers: Jeanne Rosenberg, Kathleen Kennedy
Director of photography: Reed Smoot
Production designer: Paul Peters
Music: William Ross
Costume designer: Jo Katsaras
Editors: Bud Smith, Terry Blythe
Cast:
Neera: Biana G. Tamimi
Ben Ishak: Richard Romanus
Aden: Patrick Elyas
Rhamon: Gerard Rudolf
Mansoor: Ali Al Ameri
Kadir: Andries Rossouw
MPAA rating: G
Running time -- 51 minutesG-13>Emma: Dina Waters
Michael: Marc John Jefferies
Megan: Aree Davis
Running time -- 88 minutes
MPAA rating: PG...
- 12/30/2003
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
MADRID -- Spanish production house Alquimia is joining Argentina's Patagonik and TV channel Telefe on the feature Cleopatra, to be directed by Eduardo Mignogna, Alquimia founder and president Francisco Ramos said Wednesday. The $2 million-budgeted Cleopatra, set to shoot in March, will star Norma Aleandro (The Son of the Bride) and Natalia Oreiro. The project once again teams Ramos with Telefe, which co-produced with Alquimia No Debes Estar Aqui (You Shouldn't Be Here) and Apasionados and is the second Alquimia-Patagonik co-venture after the Cecilia Roth starrer Kamchatka, due out later this year. At the same time, Alquimia is adding a handful of new films to its upcoming slate. Los Malos Vicios, a coming-of-age story of family and change, will be directed by Manuel Toledano and is set to shoot in March. No cast has been announced yet.
- 10/10/2002
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
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