9/10
A romance film for all ages
4 June 2005
Many women who have written reviews said Keanu Reaves was an ideal man. Most men would like to think they could live up to the quiet strength shown by Reaves portrayal of Paul Sutton. Of course a woman as stunningly beautiful as Aitana Sanchez-Gijon could certainly inspire such nobility.

They are many roles that Reaves is not suited for. I am not a fan of his Matrix acting and please keep him away from Shakespeare. However playing a humble straight forward guy with some nobility he can do. Essentially that is what he was doing in Speed, Something has gotta give and this role. He even did that playing an adult turned teenager in Young Again. I am not sure he is a great actor but he is perfect for this part.

Aitana Sanchez Gijon has a beautiful screen presence which has shocked me why the Hollywood hype machine has not tried to build her up like they did with Penelope Cruz. This film did nothing for her career over here. I would watch her over Jennifer Lopez, Penelope Cruz and dozens of other actresses that Hollywood has hyped into stardom.

Giancarlo Giannini is great as the father. Although Italian, his portrayal of a Mexican with roots back to Spain was dead on. Living in Florida near Tampa, many Cubans In Tampa trace their ancestry back to Spain and exhibit the same type of pride he showed in the movie.

It was also Anthony Quinn's best role in years.

However the star of the show was the music and the photography. Except for perhaps the music and photography of Last of the Mohicans, I can not think of a film where the scenery and the music did so much for a film.
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