there's a couple of things appealing about this film set in brazil
well that for one but also starring australian actress miranda otto
she playing the lead role in this true story of american poet elizabeth bishop
it's post war boomtime 1950's - opens in new york alongside central park
elizabeth decides it's time for a break and she has an old friend living near rio
so off she goes - met at the airport by her friend mary and her girlfriend lota
into the prsistine white xk120 jaguar and a picturesque drive up into the hills
roll up to the stunning hilltop estate owned and built on by architect lota
she is rightly very proud of her creation - elizabeth is more into the cat
things bristle from the start but some pillow talk (lota/mary) sorts it
then before we know it there's a bit of a re-shuffle happening
mary gets the heave-ho and elizabeth is now number one
so in love is lota she blasts a clearing to build a studio
elizabeth then set up in that to continue her writing
mary comes back and is promised the child she craves
a deal done with a local native and everything is all very cosy
3 ladies and a baby in residence and getting along just fine
parties, dinners and a happy social scene - lots of alcohol too
lota is friends with politicians in high places and influence is wielded
she is awarded the job of designing and building a famous rio landmark
flamengo park - complete with huge columns and large mounted lights
lota's idea to simulate the moon - romance, etc - and the film's title
some historical context there both politically and historically
this film is pretty light on but good to get some perspective
elizabeth gets an offer to teach poetry back in new york
and off she goes - leaving behind a heartbroken lota
she spirals into depression and is hospitalised in rio
a bit of to-ing and fro-ing between rio and new york
leading to the death of lota from an overdose - sad
phew - quite a drama really and no problem with that
good to see rio in a historical context and hear some poetry
elizabeth wins pullitzer prizes (true) and is up there historically
i would rather be in the top 16 of all poets than the top 4 female
this quote from elizabeth bishop rolls in the credits with other information
quite enjoyable really - and miranda otto - wow - come of age
she is another australian actor making it big internationally
not sure this film will be oscar material or the like
...very pleasant, very easy - old time drama-ish
