This is somehow yet another rendition of the Romeo and Juliet story, where fate and passion are the real protagonists. It is decidedly over the top, very stylish looking, very romantic and passionate, full of symbolism and metaphors, with no pretences of realism, yet it does work rather convincingly - unlike Medem's following work, Lucia y el Sexo, which also uses a magical realism style with a circular plot (even more confusing, or rather, with a lot more artificial twists and a far less clear conclusion than this one), but which I found too contrived, annoying and disappointing. Los Amantes is a stronger film, the protagonists are far more believable and engrossing, also because the fated aspect of their relationship is set up clearly from the start and there's a feeling of inevitability that manages to support the whole artifice of the plot structural symmetry.
The lead actors are very good at portraying the fragile, adolescent beauty of their story, and the supporting roles add touches of realism where needed. The settings are carefully chosen to add to the ethereal atmosphere and mythical references in the story. Perhaps it plays too much on symbols and coincidences, but that is after all what great tragic stories have always been made of. It is romantic in the epic sense of romance, managing to be emotional without cheapening emotions. In some ways the theme of fated love stories reminds me a bit of Kieslowski's Trois Couleurs series of films, but it is a lot less heavy and more enjoyable. There may be more style than
substance overall, but it's good style.
The lead actors are very good at portraying the fragile, adolescent beauty of their story, and the supporting roles add touches of realism where needed. The settings are carefully chosen to add to the ethereal atmosphere and mythical references in the story. Perhaps it plays too much on symbols and coincidences, but that is after all what great tragic stories have always been made of. It is romantic in the epic sense of romance, managing to be emotional without cheapening emotions. In some ways the theme of fated love stories reminds me a bit of Kieslowski's Trois Couleurs series of films, but it is a lot less heavy and more enjoyable. There may be more style than
substance overall, but it's good style.