Ladies & gentlemen, today, we are going to be talking about a film that was released by 20th Century Fox back in the mid-1990s, when the company was it’s own studios, and NOT associated with Disney like nowadays. Featuring Keanu Reeves, Aitana Sanchez-Gijon, Giancarlo Giannini, Debra Messing, and a few other people, the movie that we are talking today about shall be, A Walk In The Clouds.
Plot: After recently returning from WWII, Army veteran Paul Sutton (Keanu Reeves) tries to get settled down with his life. En route to going to Sacramento, California for a job, he runs into a pregnant woman named Victoria (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon). After spending time with her, and her traditionalist Mexican family, will Paul, and Victoria eventually fall in love, and get married? Also, will Paul learn to have a different outlook on life in general?
Okay, first off, for a movie that stars Keanu Reeves, this must have possibly been a different step for him from the normal action movies that he starred in in this decade, as well as the 2000s, and on. I mean think about it. During the 1990s, he was in action movies like Point Break, The two Speed films, and of course the Matrix trilogy that went from the late 1990s, and into the early to mid-2000s. And then we have this film, A Walk In The Clouds. Sure, it had scenes where there was fighting in the war. However, it doesn’t seem to be quite the same, you know? Anyway, the music, especially in the beginning is just beautiful as well. Okay, yeah, it’s not just the beginning, but throughout a good majority of the film that the music is enriching, and amazing. I’m not sure if the soundtrack for this film is available say on Amazon, or even a few stores, where they may still sell CDs, or not. Either way, this film, and it’s soundtrack is something that you could listen to while in the car, and having something peaceful, without lyrics, to listen to (minus the more violent moments of this film, that is). Next, there are the characters. I mean, sure, there were one, or two that could have perhaps been fleshed out more. However, the other characters are ones that you can relate to, sympathize with, and overall make you wonder what it would be like if you were in their shoes. Oh, and much like with the 2000 Disney film, The Kid, or a movie musical like 1971’s Fiddler On The Roof, the characters are not divided into heroes/heroines, and villains. The movie simply has characters who may agree, or disagree with each other in terms of sharing opposing viewpoints about life. Additionally, A Walk In The Clouds does a phenomenal job of portraying the Mexican culture. Let me just tell you guys this. After you watch this film, and especially see the scenes that involve Victoria, and her Mexican family, as well as overall get a better understanding of the Mexican culture as well, let’s just say that we could learn a thing, or two, or even more from the Hispanic/Mexican culture. Why? Well, this is particularly because of the fact that A Walk In The Clouds does a really great job of showing that many people in the Mexican culture seem to have more Godly values, and a desire to serve God to the best of their ability. It just comes to show how much we, as Americans, and other nations, and peoples of the world need to get back in the roots loving, and serving God, and people more, you know? Oh, and it’s also great to see people like Paul, in this film, really grow as a character. I mean as his relationship with Victoria blossoms, and he spends time with her, and her family more, he seems to really appreciate, and value things in life more. Again, as any of us watch this film, we may yet do so too. Also, Paul is not the only one, who grows as a character. People like Victoria, Victoria’s father, Alberto, and some of the other characters really get fleshed out, as this lover progresses. The movie also does well with teaching some great lessons about learning to make important commitments to others, and to not always rush into certain things, be it marrying someone too quickly, or trying to figure out too quickly what you want out of life, and other things like that, you know? Finally, there’s the ending. Okay, let me clarify, I WILL NOT spoil the ending, or even the events that happen towards the end. However, what I will say is that this film does excellent with showing that even when the worst happens, there is still hope that good things can still come come out of those horrible circumstances. It just goes back to times like when Joseph from Genesis said it best, “What the enemy meant for evil, God will use for good.”
The only areas, where this film could have been improved at least in a couple ways are that one, Betty Sutton, Paul’s ex-wife, was the one character who could have maybe been fleshed out a little more. I mean there were times when we probably could find ourselves thinking that her motives for her selfish actions could have probably been better, and not just somewhat bland, you know? There were times where maybe the writing could have maybe been tweaked a little better as well, be it with some of the characters, how certain situations in the story were handled, and things like that.
And that’s my review for A Walk In The Clouds. First of all, this film does well with showing that even a live-action movie doesn’t have to be quite two hours long in order to be good. Sure, in this case, there were one, or two areas where this film could have improved by a bit. Aside from that, however, A Walk In The Clouds is very well-written. Not to mention it’s great that a movie doesn’t have to officially be called a Christian film in order for things like God, or the love of God to be talked about. So, how about that? Definitely see A Walk In The Clouds if you haven’t yet. It is a film that is undoubtedly worth seeing, and one that you could easily watch multiple times, if you chose to.
Final Grade: A-
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