http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/16/LOVE-IN-THE-TIME-OF-CHOLERA-Ironically-Feels-More-Like.aspx The difference between reading a book and watching a screen adaptation of it is imagination.&nbsp; Reading, you filter the character through your experiences and preferences.&nbsp; The characters look and walk and talk the way you want them to, the way you interpret the writer&rsquo;s words.&nbsp; The author may create the characters, but the reader defines them. In movies, however, you&rsquo;re limited to watching.&nbsp; The story is what it is on the screen; viewers can&rsquo;t shape it to meet their own expectations.&nbsp; Consider the line, &ldquo;This is going to be a lesson in love.&rdquo;&nbsp; In the novel, LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA, it is spoken by Dr. Juvenal Urbino to his virginal bride in a context that can reek of passion.&nbsp; When spoken by Benjamin Bratt in the film LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA, it provoked gales of laughter in the audience. And therein lies the problem of adopting a novel to the screen, generally, and with adapting LOVE IN THE TIME OF CHOLERA, specifically.&nbsp; The way that scene appeared on the screen, no one could imagine passion. At its heart, CHOLERA is a story about the kind of mind-numbing, heart-breaking love every human yearns for.&nbsp; In late 19th Century Columbia, a young Florentino Ariza falls deeply and madly in love with Fermina Daza (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) the moment he spies her through the window of her family home.&nbsp; He pursues her with the ardor of youth, sending romantic letters through her duena, who helps arrange secret meetings between the pair. Eventually, Fermina accepts his proposal:&nbsp; &ldquo;I will marry you if you promise not to make me eat eggplant.&rdquo; en-US Critics Rant info@criticsrant.com Subtext Version 1.9.4.0 http://www.criticsrant.com/images/default_gravatar_bullhorn.png http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/16/LOVE-IN-THE-TIME-OF-CHOLERA-Ironically-Feels-More-Like.aspx 77 60 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/16/LOVE-IN-THE-TIME-OF-CHOLERA-Ironically-Feels-More-Like.aspx#2222 what in the world???? sounds idiotic to me. brokun1 http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/16/LOVE-IN-THE-TIME-OF-CHOLERA-Ironically-Feels-More-Like.aspx#2222 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 14:39:30 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/16/LOVE-IN-THE-TIME-OF-CHOLERA-Ironically-Feels-More-Like.aspx#2227 The book is wonderful, and even though I love Javier Bardem, I was a little scared for his betrayal of Ariza. Maybe I'll wait for the DVD. <br /><br />Great review though! Fabfish http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/16/LOVE-IN-THE-TIME-OF-CHOLERA-Ironically-Feels-More-Like.aspx#2227 Fri, 16 Nov 2007 15:17:14 GMT http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/16/LOVE-IN-THE-TIME-OF-CHOLERA-Ironically-Feels-More-Like.aspx#2393 tnbqacfi - Google Search http://www.criticsrant.com/archive/2007/11/16/LOVE-IN-THE-TIME-OF-CHOLERA-Ironically-Feels-More-Like.aspx#2393 Tue, 04 Dec 2007 08:40:00 GMT