January 1 - Love in the Time of Cholera

This dramatic film has a scene that happens today – January 1. I hope you will enjoy this movie and watch it tonight.  

LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA             

In 1920’s Colombia, elderly Dr, Juvenal Urbino falls off a ladder and dies. Florentino Ariza, who learns of this while relaxing with his young mistress, goes to see Dr. Urbino’s widow, Fermina to profess his love for her, but she tosses him out.  We then flashback half a century to when the young Florentino sees Fermina and immediately falls in love with her.  He courts her and they fall in love, but when he proposes to her, Fermina’s father is outraged. Florentino is only a telegraph clerk and he wants her to marry a wealthy man. He sends Fermina to the country to live with her mother’s relatives. While waiting for her to return the country is racked by both civil war and cholera. Florentino vows to remain faithful to Fermina. However, when she does return Fermina gets sick. Dr. Juvenal Urbino comes to treat her and eventually court her. Fermina married Dr. Urbino. Heartbroken, Florentino’s mother arranges for him to be sent upriver on a steamship, ostensibly to conduct business for his uncle, whom he works for as a clerk, but in reality to take his mind off Fermina. On the trip he is seduced by a mystery woman and upon his return has an affair with a widow. Florentino begins to catalog all his sexual relationships in a sort of diary. While Dr. Urbino works to bring culture and modernity to the country, Florentino writes poetry and continues his affairs, including one with a married woman, who is killed by her husband when her husband finds out. On January 1, 1900, the country welcomes a new century. [1:32:51 to 1:33:31]. Dr. Urbino confesses to his wife that he has had an affair. After his rejection, Florentino continues to write letters to Fermina and she finally agrees to see him. They take a trip up the river and finally consummate their relationship.

A beautifully photographed film. However, the constant shifting of storyline weakens the film. It is an unusual movie that is worth watching at least once.

The date is given in the film at 1:33:27

Director - Mike Newell

Producer - Scott Steindorff

Screenplay - Ronald Harwood

Runtime – 2 hours 19 minutes

Released – November 16, 2007        

Starring -

Javier Bardem as Florentino Ariza

Giovanna Mezzogiorno as Fermina Daza

Benjamin Bratt as Dr. Juvenal Urbino

John Leguizamo as Lorenzo Daza

Fernanda Montenegro as Tránsito Ariza