A free-spirited divorcee spends her nights on the dance floor, joyfully letting loose at clubs around Los Angeles. She soon finds herself thrust into an unexpected new romance, filled with the joys of budding love and the complications of dating.
I, unfortunately, have yet to see “A Fantastic Woman” or “Disobedience” but from what I’ve read, director Sebastián Lelio has an eye for strong characters and grounded storytelling. In “Gloria Bell,” he works with the very talented Natasha Braier. Braier previously shot two of my favorite films, the beautifully morbid “Neon Demon” and the raw outback dystopian thriller, “The Rover.” With a refined approach, Leilo and Braier shoot with a realistic scope full of natural light and a non-stylized aesthetic. This is also one of those odd or perhaps unique times where a director has remade his own film from his original native language into an American version. It recalls the Germanic gargantuan director Michael Haneke cheekily remaking his sadistic home invasion picture “Funny Games” shot for shot. Besides that, the two stories couldn’t be more different.
In “Gloria Bell,” the perpetually charismatic Julianne Moore stars in the titular role of Gloria. She’s a divorcee with two children who finds cathartic release dancing around LA night clubs. One night out she meets Arnold (John Turturro) a fellow divorcee who seems to have similar circumstances and desires. After some flirting and close dancing, the two immediately head back to his place and spend the night together. Things continue to flourish between them, having fun dates like shooting paintball at the course Arnold runs. Things become complicated when Arnold’s ex-wife and demanding daughters keep barging into their tranquil existence.
I generally don’t care for romantic comedies but I can get on board with a premise that is entertaining and realistic. I feel like most romantic comedies rely on slapstick and desperate grand gestures that would never play out happily in real life. “Gloria Bell” never falls into predictable pitfalls and kept me interested. Moore and Turturro are the real draws of this film. They have incredible chemistry and put in subtle heartfelt performances. Another winning element is the supporting actors being well cast. Turns from Jeanne Tripplehorn, Brad Garret as Gloria’s ex, and Michael Cera are all a welcome presence. There’s nothing groundbreaking about the story but nonetheless, a sweet film that is affirming and entertaining.
Now available on Blu-ray™ (plus Digital) and DVD from Lionsgate
