festivalpix The overwhelming preponderance of American critics have incorrectly translated the title of "La Mujer de mi Hermano" as "My Brother's Wife." Indeed, even prestigious film critic Roger Ebert went so far as to suggest that the film should be retitled "My Husband's Brother" since the story was told from the wife's perspective.Frankly, these critics missed the point: The correct translation is "My Brother's Woman," a deliberate reference to the heroine's ambivalence as the center of a romantic triangle between two brothers. In other words, with which brother does she really belong? The Spanish title is so right for its story.Most critics also missed the point that within macho Latin culture, the hot-headed husband Ignacio might well have put his two-timing wife Zoe and cuckolding brother Gonzalo six feet under and, sub-textually, that's precisely where the story seemed to be speeding like an out-of-control freight train. Instead, surprisingly, Ignacio embraces his wife, forgives his brother and accepts his nephew as his own child. Yes, and his adulterous wife -- his brother's woman -- forgives his periodic bisexual dalliances. As Zoe says, it's only fair.In the south-of-the-border world of predominately Catholic conservatism, this film provides a rare glimpse at social tolerance and interpersonal redemption. And though built on the chassis of a melodramatic telenovela, the societal resonance of its themes uplift the richness of the story to somewhere between "Unfaithful" and "Little Children." Beautifully photographed, beautifully acted and beautifully directed, this film has been woefully underrated by America's politically correct and culturally insensitive critical community. Do not be fooled."La Mujer de mi Hermano" is a very good film.

geraldpeterson Well, I must admit there may be some bias in my review because my cousin is one of the leading actors. But because of that I was even more prone to watch for mistakes or imperfections in the acting than I normally do when watching a movie. The first thing that must be said about this film is that the cinematography is excellent!! The attention to detail and framing that was put into every shot is manifest. Even just the opening sequence with the leaves floating in the pool was shot with a talent that is evident throughout the movie. The soundtrack is fine and subtle, blending well with the scenes and setting the appropriate mood. The acting was top rate - across the board - from the primary actors to the supporting cast down to the extras. Way to go cousin you did fantastic. The director definitely knew his story well and seamlessly planned out the path on which he would develop it. The situations and circumstances portrayed are perfectly believable. You truly find yourself engaged in the lives of these people. As the madness, guilt and predicaments gather up you can't help but feel pity for each character's weakness and just hope that in them lies some dormant strength they can muster to correct and recover their lives. This is a good drama film. And if you are in the mood for the steamy quandaries that people can get themselves into you will enjoy watching this movie. By the way, my cousin is Manolo Cardona; just in case you were curious.

nycritic LA MUJER DE MI HERMANO is a bad movie that manages, through stylish visuals, neat transitions, lush electronica used as mood music, and a deliberate plot pacing, to look better than it is. Story-wise, it would have been better off set anywhere between the Fifties, because technically it's akin to the much better FAR FROM HEAVEN in melodrama, or even when this type of movies came into vogue during the period going from the late Seventies into the early Nineties. How and why it's situated in the present, and even more so, that its story got through the datedness that bogs it down is a mystery, but then again, Latin America is still in a mire of its own ultra-conservative values -- men are supposed to be macho; women who take charge of their own life are seen as little more than "zorras" in heat, and everything happens in a very hush-hush way. So for a Latin American public, the premise of LA MUJER DE MI HERMANO may work perfectly; on the other hand, it falls into an ugly "Splat!" of epic proportions on this side of the Rio Grande.Much of it has nothing to do with its denouement, which to a degree may even then be somewhat forgivable. Its failing, and Achilles heel, is based squarely in the trite language -- both on a visual and written level -- that tries to tell an intelligent story but has nothing to hold on to. For example, we're told that Ignacio and Zoe have been married for ten years, and that's okay. What is not, and where the story's implausibilities begin to show, is that in those ten years, they've fallen into a predictability where Ignacio can only have sex on Saturdays and prefers business traveling than being with Zoe. Ten years is a long, long time for Zoe not to notice the 500 pound elephant sitting placidly in her sleek, minimalistic and uber-contemporary living room. Maybe it's those twenty grapes she has a penchant for. Then again, Dorothy Parker wrote a story called "Too Bad", where a married couple of seven years suddenly separated. No one knew why, but once we went inside the marriage, we saw that these two had absolutely nothing in common, not even enough for small talk. We never find out their mechanics, but it's still a pretty funny story.This, however, is a story that takes itself seriously. Adding to the fact that Ignacio and Zoe have strange marital arrangements is the presence of Ignacio's studly brother Gonzalo. Gonzalo and Ignacio are estranged as presented in exclamation points early on at a family lunch. Zoe, do-gooder that she is, contacts Gonzalo and tries to make amends. He sells her a painting, and Ignacio hits the ceiling. Fifteen minutes are spent mulling and arguing over this painting as if it had some symbolic meaning. No sooner than this happens that Zoe is confiding deep secrets to Gonzalo as if she'd known him all her life, and a phone conversation implausibly makes its way to Ignacio's ears, but all he can do is throw the darned painting into the pool and seethe. More unremarkable events take place: Zoe also confides in who we're led to believe is her best friend, Boris, a stereotypical nellie. Conversations between Zoe and Boris are built to make us understand more will come out of their friendship, but that doesn't happen. The same can be said when Zoe makes Gonzalo prove to her he hasn't had sex with other women, or when in a repeat scene, she makes Ignacio promise her he hasn't had sex with men. It's all tease and fake promise.So with all this teasing going on, it's not a surprise as to why LA MUJER DE MI HERMANO looks good, but is quite bad. It begins with the misnomer of its title which would have Gonzalo the main narrator of the story, and ends by its sheer quaintness that never decides where it wants to take its characters and leaves them muddled in its telenovela roots. At least for a debut film from Ricardo de Montreuil, it's not a flat-out failure. It sells glossy images, attractive leads that would be at home in daytime soap, the presence of a veteran actress (Angelica Aragon), and that's all there is to it.

bartisoft A few days ago, I went to the theater to watch this movie that somehow got my attention.This movies focuses on the story of Zoe (Mori). A woman whose marriage is in constant conflict. Her husband Ignacio (Meier) inheritor of the family business, and Gonzalo (Cardona) Ingnacio's younger brother who gives his life to painting, but makes a living thanks to his brother and strangely always shows hatred towards him. With all these background, it isn't hard to presume where the story is leading to.As the story goes on, more background details explains why every character acts the way they do, and how a triangle of betrayal and disloyalties is taking part in the plot.Acting: I think Cardona (Gonzalo) though not outstanding, is the only one who achieves a little touch of truthfulness to his character, showing himself as someone careless and incapable of commitment. Meier (Ignacio), He got his moments of clarity, but not enough to convince with his character. Mori (Zoe), I must say that it's the first time I see her acting, and to be honest, I think that she never managed Zoe, being absolutely lacking of the emotiveness required by her character. It's supposed that Zoe is a woman full of inner conflicts as a result of the relationship with her husband. Though, she never get to make the audience feel any empathy. I should say that being a beautiful woman is never enough.Plot: It always kept predictable, that's why I expected any surprise near the end, but it never happened. Sometimes it might bores you or find that something doesn't fit.Directing: Not outstanding, it has some highlights. For instance, the manage of close-up within conversations between character, where you can see that everything blurs but the faces.Soundtrack: Apparently doesn't have one, you just can hear the song "Mentiras" from the Chilean band "La Ley"In summary, I wouldn't recommend it. But if you want to give it a try, do it at your own risk.