After winning an Academy Award in 2018 for A Fantastic Woman, Chilean director Sebastián Lelio, returns with a revitalized remake of his award-winning breakthrough 2013 film Gloria about the ups and downs of a fifty-something divorcée as she searches for love and self-realization in Chile’s capital, transporting the eponymous Gloria to Los Angeles and casting the inimitable Julianne Moore (Wonderstruck, Maggie’s Plan, Still Alice) to play her.
Gloria adores her adult children (Michael Cera, Molly’s Game; and Caren Pistorius), but she is interested in being more than a grandmother. She loves to spend her evenings dancing in singles clubs, hoping to meet Mr. Right. It all seems to be falling into place when she meets the recently divorced Arnold (John Turturro, Mia Madre), who falls for her bright smile and sees the beauty behind her oversized glasses. But Arnold’s ex-wife and grown-up daughters have an unhealthy hold on him, and it seems he does not know how to let go of the past—or his incessantly ringing mobile phone.
Drawing dazzling energy from his new cast and locations, Lelio follows Gloria as she navigates midlife romance and figures out what she truly wants. While we can all sympathize with Arnold—and Turturro has never been more comically vulnerable—it is Gloria we are always rooting for. Moore’s take on the character is a fresh revelation: while maintaining Gloria’s feisty spirit and eagerness to connect, she discovers just how satisfying it can be to dance alone.
“Moore’s compassionate performance confirms the strength of the original and its beloved heroine’s universal appeal. More than that, Gloria Bell proves that the best stories can be told endlessly, so long as they’re told well.” (Eric Kohn, IndieWire)
“Moore’s performance means that we are with Gloria every step of the way, sharing in the little victories and the jolting setbacks.” (Allan Hunter, Screen International)
“Moore plays Gloria with a twinkle in her eye that makes her lovable and a yearning for connection that makes her relatable.” (Victor Stiff, The Playlist)