A Matador's Mistress

2008

Storyline - "A Matador's Mistress" is a tragically eloquent dance of the cold brutality of uncommitted love and the high stakes of the Bullfight. Immerse yourself in the culture of Spain surrounding the age old traditions of the Matador. While the bullfight is controversial by today's standards, the ancient art-form is depicted with unflinching realism. The story is of man against beast, the bullfighter's zen, if you will; his nightly dance with death. A world-class lover enters his world; their code is their truth. Life being lived, edgy, relentlessly flirting with disaster, untamed, beautiful.

         
Staring Adrien Brody as Manolete (the best bullfighter to ever live some say,) and Penelope Cruz as his lover Lupe Sino, this film got quite a bit of hype I remember because of these two actors.

Sadly, I don't think the film ever lived up to they hype.

I did buy the DVD when it came out though and I watch it every once in awhile, I think it is a decent movie.

The problem the film seems to have, at least to me, is it doesn't know what it wants to be. A film about bullfighting, a love story, a documentary of sorts, what?

Good example, the final bullfight scene where Manolete is gored, and ultimately dies from that injury, the bullfight scene is interrupted by scenes of him and Lupe having awkward sex, and then there are also scenes of Lupe driving away in her sports car but crying as if she knows what is happening to Manolete in the plaza.

It was hard to watch, a very well filmed bullfight scene was being interrupted by weirdness.

Oh well, it is what it is.

I still recommend it for the bullfight fans out there.