Although Juventino Rosas was a very famous Mexican musician and composer, you'd never know it if you searched the internet for information about his life. Mostly it just talks about some of his most famous compositions as well as his very premature death. Otherwise, I found very little about him and this is frustrating because what I saw in the film "Over the Waves" sure didn't seem as if it could be Rosas' life--mostly because Pedro Infante's version of Rosa spent all of his time being irresponsible--drinking, crying and skipping from job to job. How could he possibly find time to compose or become famous?!
"Over the Waves" ("Sobre las Olas") is a color film--making it very unusual and a prestige picture when it debuted back in 1950. However, time has not been all that kind to the print and the DVD shows a film that is in need of conservation. Much of the film is faded and some is quite scratchy. The sound also could use some work, as the vividness of the music is missing due to a tinny sound. Too bad--hopefully someone can one day clean up the print and re- release it.
As far as the film goes, I have a strong feeling it's much more about Pedro Infante, or at least his style of film, as opposed to the life of Rosa. As I mentioned above, he hardly seems to have any time to become famous in this film as he's mostly an irresponsible lout. So, as a history lesson, the film left me feeling a bit let down. Entertainment wise, I know Infante was a HUGE star in Mexico and the fans adored him, but his simpering and highly emotional performance left me flat. It's clearly a dated sort of picture, though it does have a nice look to it.
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