The Son of the Bride

An absorbing bittersweet movie, 'El Hijo de la Novia' stars Ricardo Darin ('Nine Queens') as Rafael Belvedere, a troubled 42-year-old Buenos Aires restaurateur going through a mid-life crisis. A cantankerous fellow, Belvedere's business is falling apart around him, while his ex-wife complains that he's not spending enough time with his daughter. His latest relationship isn't going too well either, as he barely has time for his girlfriend Naty (Verbeke). Which doesn't seem to upset him too much as it's likely that Rafael's not long for this world since he's suffering from heart problems and can't give up smoking. And just in case this wasn't enough, his mother (Aleandro) is suffering from Alzheimer's and hasn't got long left. Not to be denied, his father plans for the white wedding the couple didn't have 44 years ago.

As even a cursory glance at the above should inform you, the writer-director of 'El Hijo de la Novia', Juan Jose Campanella, isn't shy about tugging at those heartstrings. Yet what makes his film a deeply moving one is that he manages to infuse melodrama and comedy, without focusing on one and expecting the other to make up the difference. This assured direction elicits some marvellous performances - Darin is outstanding and his onscreen parents are wonderful. But it's the grace and genuine warmth that the director injects the proceedings with that makes 'El Hijo de la Novia' so beautiful. Oh, and it's bloody funny, too.