Eréndira

"Erendira" is a film from Mexico that is rarely talked about. The film only exists in a low quality VHS format. It's a shame this film hasn't been given a DVD release. "Erendira" is stunning and gorgeous with its magic-realist images. "Erendira" is based on a short story from the novel "100 Years of Solitude". Erendira is constantly daydreaming and accidentally burns down her grandma's house. Her evil grandma, played by Irene Papas, forces her into prostitution to pay for the damages. The whole town gets a piece of Erendira, so to speak. Although the subject matter sounds harsh, the film doesn't exploit sexuality. It's done in a mature artistic manner. The film also has some amazing costumes. Some of the more surreal aspects of the film that stand out the most, are the origami birds that morph into real birds, and a golden orange with a diamond in the center. Erendira is an amazing film, that even manages to throw in humor. This is definitely a film that deserves a special DVD release. As they'd say in espanol, "Es muy muy bien !!! Excellente!

Although this lovely work of art does use some of the cinematic vocabulary of surrealism, it is in fact nothing of the sort. It is a political and cultural allegory of Mexico's post-Columbian odyssey, as even a passing glance at Mexico's history will attest.

In contrast to "Like Water for Chocolate," "Erendira" expects the viewer to meet it at least half way so that understanding it takes a little work. (A good starting point is to see the grandmother character as Spain: proud, aloof, sorrowful and, above all else, weighed-down-with-history.)

The ultimate actions of the heroine are obscure because the "outcome" of history (i.e. the present) is always obscure, since we are too close to it for honest evaluation. Refusal to neatly tie up loose ends is the only real choice available to the director, given the ambitions of the film.

"Erendira" is gorgeous. A big-screen experience would be ideal, if you can catch it at a local art house or university screening. But if not, VHS is better than never seeing it at all.

"The Incredible and Sad Story of the Innocent Eréndira and Her Heartless Grandmother" is my favorite work of all the literature by Gabriel García Márquez. This is an abysmal version of the (long) short story, told without imaginative resources and the special effects it begged for. For once, I would concede to green juices and gore effects of cheap Hollywood movies: that is what was precisely needed when that bitch of the grandmother dies. Tobe Hooper would have been a much better choice as director than Ruy Guerra, who went to make other poor adaptations of García's work. And the terrible casting of bland Oliver Wehe as Ulises, competes with that of Hayden Christensen as Anakin Skywalker. No wonder he did not make another film.

Eréndira is a dark fairy tale covered in the blanket of magic realism that has become Gabriel García Márquez's trademark. Director Ruy Guerra has devoted a lot of attention to upholding the surrealistic undertones of the novel. The story itself unfolds like a bizarre daydream that follows a 14 year old Eréndira as she is plagued by the "wind of her misfortune." It is the wind that causes Eréndira to burn down her grandmother's lavish villa. Upon seeing the ruin and ashes the Grandmother informs Eréndira that "it would take a lifetime to back the debt you owe me." And so begins the young girl's life of prostitution. In order to earn back her money, the Grandmother sells Eréndira to countless men, day and night. It is only when Eréndira meets angelic Ulysses that her tortured life seemingly begins to change. Perhaps the most brilliant aspect of this movie is the role of the Grandmother, played by Irene Papas. She is carried around on a throne-like chair, wears grotesquely gaudy dresses and devours cake by the handful; all while dispensing cryptic advice to Eréndira. The power that the Grandmother has over the life of Eréndira is shocking yet morbidly interesting, as is she. This strong presence is the reason that her character commands the most attention in the film. Her greed and apparent indestructibleness is quite possibly representative of the many corrupt and powerful organizations and politicians that are present in Latin America and throughout the world.

Eréndira is a compelling movie to say the least. It is funny yet eerie, intriguing yet grotesque, and I thought it was amazing. Everything from the sound effects to the costumes work together to create the web of magic realism that dominates the film. If you like slightly dark stories of Latin American culture with a magical twist, Eréndira should be your first choice.

The previous reviewers have already discussed the story in detail, so I will not go into it. I saw this story as a play, twice, at Repertorio Espanol in NYC. The sets and acting were excellent. I loved both of the very imaginatively and colorfully staged productions. The Repertorio does not produce it anymore, I think because it is too expensive. Then I happened to see the film on television a few years ago which, much to my surprise, was also very imaginative and excellent. I am so disappointed that I cannot buy the DVD. I will have to content myself with the book. Perhaps it will be produced again someday as a film. Gabriel Garcia Marquez had a son who writes and directs screenplays. He is just the opposite of his father, whose writing style was magical realism. His son's style is in-your-face realism. Anyway, I wonder if he would be interested in imitating his father and producing Erendira for us.