Danzón (1991)

Good concept, poorly executed.

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

Danzón is a fantastic movie which through its exploration of love, lust, and the female experience brings the viewer to laugh and cry and think deeply about the realities of everyday life.I absolutely adored this movie. I am not usually one for romantic movies. I often find them to be too similar plot-wise to hold my interest for very long, and as a gay man I really do get tired of the lack of representation in movies, or even worse, representation that only furthers homonegative stereotypes. Danzón, however was original in its plot and explored themes of gender and sexuality which are often ignored or barely touched upon in movies. I think the most enjoyable part of the film for me was the degree to which I was able to immerse myself in Julia's experience. From her uncomfortable impromptu "date" in the restaurant, to her fling with a man she didn't really feel much for, to her touching reunion with her dancing partner, I found myself cheering Julia on, hoping she succeeded and lived a happy life. The part of the film I most appreciated, however, was the character Susy. While this depiction of a gay drag queen was not the most perfect thing I've ever seen, it was still fantastically done. Rather than feeling like a comic relief and an accessory to Julia, Susy struck me as a three-dimensional person, full of life and complex emotion. One of the important themes which I found fascinating was the exploration of life as a woman. Oftentimes in this still mostly male-centric world movies focus on male experience and the only aspects of female experience are those which benefit and highlight male experience. In Danzón I felt like I was actually getting a glimpse into what it's like to be a woman. I saw the sexual harassment, the disregard for female feelings and experiences, the use of women for male sexual pleasure. However, none of it felt like it was a plot device meant to further Julia's quest for her love. It felt like the director and writer were actually trying to make the viewer understand intimately the female experience. Overall I give this movie ten stars. I found it just absolutely wonderful, and deserving of the highest praise I can award.

This movie reminded me of the movie Sube y Baja with Cantinflas. I have always liked movies that have an ocean setting. It seems as if one can just put reality on hold and just live a little. Danzón is one of those movies that has that type of story. We see the everyday life of a woman, Julia, and how a visit to the beach can really make a person feel alive. This movie really emphasizes that even if you do not seek a vacation, it is really needed to fully value what you have or what you need have. The music, the dancing, and sense of community in the film gives the audience the setting that they are there in Veracruz. The choice of music is lovely, from Augustin Lara to Julio Jaramillo. They sing such romantic songs that adds beautifully to the movie. The instrumental beach music makes it so hard not to dance to. Overall, it is a movie that stepping out of your circle may not be so bad. You might meet nice people, see beautiful sights, and just enjoy who you really are. You even might set out on a path and end up on another to self understanding. One is never too young to have fun and it is never too late to set out on an adventure. This is a movie that makes me want to fall in love.I would recommend this movie to anyone who has a broken heart, or feels as if they are going nowhere in life. I would recommend this movie to anyone who feels suffocated in this point and time in their life. I believe that this movie would put a smile on anyone's face.Also, make sure to understand all of the names of the boats, they will make you laugh.

I just saw Danzon at Washington, D.C.'s National Gallery, which was selected as part of the theme for Milestones in Mexican Cinema. It was a wonderful, simple story about a woman who's love of dance forces her to realize her independence.Danzon director María Rojo stars as Julia Solórzano, a timid working class woman (just to show you the cultural and economic differences between the states and Mexico, it was 1989 when this movie was released, and they were talking about the "modernization plan" and the development of 'long distance telephone'). At night, she and the girls from work go to the popular Mexican night spots and spend the night dancing the Danzón. When her Danzón partner mysteriously disappears without word (although there are several rumors), she feels completely helpless. Dancing is what she loves to do, and with Carmelo (her dance partner) gone, she falls into a state of disrepair. Julia takes a trip to Veracruz, where Carmelo was from (this being where the majority of the film takes place), and looks for him. There, she meets several interesting people, and her friendship forces her to rethink things about herself, namely her independence. Danzón is a wonderful, funny, and simple story, qualities that I had appreciated more after having seen the pretentious Adaptation. There is something about Julia and the townspeople that are so interesting, and so engaging, even though the point is so simplistic. Among the best characters in the film were Carmen Salinas as Doña Tí and Tito Vasconcelos as Susy (Julia's cross dressing friend who is perhaps the funniest character in the whole movie). I recommend seeing it.

What would a film for women look like? Well, one possibility is Maria Novaro's wonderful reversal of all of the expectations of male-oriented films. Playing with a number of genres and turning them on their heads, Novaro gives us the story of Julia, an ordinary late thirty-something woman, who, used to playing a traditionally passive, "feminine" role, takes on the active role of searching for her missing danzon partner in a journey that takes her from gloomy Mexico City to sun-drenched Veracruz. In the process she changes from object of the male gaze to bearer of the gaze. The film boasts a super performance from Maria Rojo as Julia and fine supporting performances by Carmen Salinas, Tito Vasconcelos, and Victor Carpenteiro. It is saturated with fantastic Mexican music, especially songs written by Veracruz' native son, Agustin Lara. And then there is the dancing. The danzon, where a single glance may give the game away, becomes a perfect metaphor for Julia's journey of self-discovery.