The House of the Spirits

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Chip W @HotTubRabbits May 22 I saw this years ago, and chose to rent it last night to enjoy again. While I accept that much of the story is cliche, but there's a reason things become cliche in the first place. @mschroeder, Spaniards conquered and settled Chile, just as they did most of South America, Central America, Mexico and a large swathe of North America. They formed the highest caste/social class as they suppressed the native populations, so there would be nothing unusual about white women being cast in the roles you referred to. To this day, in Guadalajara for instance (and other locales in Mexico, central and South America) you will find plenty of blond haired, blue eyed Mexicans. See more Alec B @AlecMichaelB Apr 8 Despite an undeniably star-studded cast including Glenn Close, Meryl Streep, Winona Ryder, and Antonio Banderas, The House of the Spirits is a disappointing misfire on nearly every level. I love these actors individually, but they are grossly miscast; for a story so rooted in Latin American history and identity, the near absence of Latin American actors makes the film feel culturally unmoored and inauthentic. More disappointing is how thoroughly the adaptation strips away the rich magical realism that defines Isabel Allende’s novel, leaving behind a hollow, overly literal story. Performances across the board feel stiff and disconnected, as though each actor is operating in a different film, resulting in scenes that come off clunky and emotionally underdeveloped. The passage of time, which is so essential to the story’s generational sweep, is a total rush job. The story was disjointed and awkward, where major events seem to occur without weight or consequence. See more Meri S. @mschroeder Mar 29 I do not understand the low critic scores for this movie. Head scratching. I do agree with some though about the casting. I read the book and would have never envisioned Anglo white women playing the part of Clara or her daughter. The setting is South America, so that casting is odd. However, the cast is all top notch. The cinematography was spectacular. The movie adaption tweaked a lot of the story to help it fit into two hours. A lot of details and main characters missing. I’d def rec the film though. See more tatjana K. @Tatjana1021 Mar 12 I’ve watched it many times and love it. A multi generation movie, filled with every emotion. See more Nina W. @Ninaxxx Mar 12 I absolutely love this movie. I do not understand the bad rating. I think it’s one of the best movies ever made. See more R T @Ericka255 Dec 12 Great film based on this fantastic novel by Isabel Allende. Of course, there is so much you can squeeze in a bit more than two hours, but the movie is GREAT. It is a classic that everyone should watch. See more Read all reviews

The House of the Spirits

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