Love in the Time of Cholera

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In late 19th century Colombia, Florentino (Unax Ugalde) and Fermina (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) want to marry, but Fermina's father (John Leguizamo) marries her off to a doctor (Benjamin Bratt). So, as any broken-hearted man who honors the sanctity of marriage would, Florentino (now played by Javier Bardem) waits for his beloved’s husband to die while bedding everyone in sight—since even if his heart is on hold, the rest of his body is ready and willing.

Big question: Is this two-hours-plus drama, based on Gabriel Garcia Márquez’s novel, an aching tale of undying love or does it feel longer than an actual bout with cholera?

Skip it: Apparently cholera is the world’s only disease at the time, which allows Florentino to sleep with more than 600 women and remain STD-free. Even more surprising is director Mike Newell’s wild changes in tone, swinging from passionate, lovelorn confessions to telenovela sappiness to awkward comedy, including a frisky feline that interrupts one of Florentino’s conquests.

Catch it: If you really want to see Florentino's mom listening happily to the satisfied moans of her son's lover. Um, creepy!

Bottom line: Too sincere to dismiss completely but much too silly and melodramatic to take seriously, "Cholera" survives thanks to Bardem’s genuine performance and a commitment to the irrational, defiant force of unrequited love. But without any clear concept of time passing it’s hard to admire Florentino’s persistence, which is all the more frustrating since we don’t know why he’s so passive, why Fermina sticks with her hubby so long or how Florentino’s such a ladykiller in his 70s.

Bonus: Proof that even all-consuming love comes with conditions, as Fermina initially agrees to marry Florentino only if he promises not to make her eat eggplant. Some people are so demanding!

mpais@tribune.com

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