X
- 2013
- PG-13
- Arenas Entertainment
- 1 h 46 m
- 2013
- PG-13
- Arenas Entertainment
- 1 h 46 m
Summary Based on the controversial novel by acclaimed author Rudolfo Anaya, Bless Me Ultima is a coming-of-age story set in New Mexico during WWII, centered on the relationship between a young boy and an elderly medicine woman who helps him contend with the battle between good and evil that rages in his village.
Directed By: Carl Franklin
Written By: Rudolfo Anaya, Carl Franklin
- 2013
- PG-13
- Arenas Entertainment
- 1 h 46 m
- 2013
- PG-13
- Arenas Entertainment
- 1 h 46 m
Bless Me, Ultima
65
5.9
Where to Watch
Summary Based on the controversial novel by acclaimed author Rudolfo Anaya, Bless Me Ultima is a coming-of-age story set in New Mexico during WWII, centered on the relationship between a young boy and an elderly medicine woman who helps him contend with the battle between good and evil that rages in his village.
Directed By: Carl Franklin
Written By: Rudolfo Anaya, Carl Franklin
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 17 Critic Reviews
65
59% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
41% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 17 Critic Reviews
65
59% Positive
10 Reviews
10 Reviews
41% Mixed
7 Reviews
7 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Carl Franklin's film is true to the tone and spirit of the book. It is patient and in no hurry. It allows a balanced eye for the people in its hero's family who tug him one way and another.
The movie is at its best when it’s at its smallest: when Ganalon quietly watches Colon coax a dying young man into vomiting up his “curse,” or when Ganalon is getting laughed out of his classroom because he has a burrito in his lunchbox instead of a sandwich.
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 13 User Ratings
5.9
54% Positive
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
23% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
23% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Mixed or Average
Based on 13 User Ratings
5.9
54% Positive
7 Ratings
7 Ratings
23% Mixed
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
23% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
The film poster says that it was based on the controversial novel. I don't know anything about that, but I feel it was referred like that for the marketing purpose. Anyway, it was a good, an unexpectedly good movie that came my way. Being a fan of the kids movie I loved it very much. Not only that, the diverged story with often the plot that meets fantasy and reality at a certain quantity was told in a great quality. It might be a story of the kid, but many stuffs were cruel and violent that I doubt does it fit for children to watch. As it set during just after the second world war, I think the harsh side of the story was extremely essential. And also being true to the book.
The story was narrated from the character Antonio who takes us back to his childhood days. When he was a 7-year-old kid, he lived in a small village of the New Mexico. He was raised in a farmer family who was well respected in the town. One day an old lady called Ultima comes to join his family to live forth. Soon Antonio and Ultima begin to have a close relationship. As a medicine woman she teaches everything about mending and curing. And as a wise woman she resolves Antonio's doubts over the good and the bad. As a sudden a conflict between Ultima and a witch family from the town begin to take a wing. As a little boy nothing much he can do than witnessing which brings the end of his narration.
‘‘A man's destiny must unfold itself like a flower.
With only the sun, earth and water, making it blossom.’’
It was from the first book of the four book series. And I am eager to know more about Antonio and his story of the different section of life. Hope they make those remaining 3 movies. This is a coming-of-age story and about a boy who is interested to become a priest which is well backed by his family. At the early age itself, he begins to learn the lessons with the help of the experienced hand. Kind of incredible journey of a little smart boy. The world he sees through his eyes was the story told about the human nature that collide between good and bad. The cast was not recognizable, probably I am seeing all of them for the first time. But the performances were very good. Apart from the boy and an old woman the remaining cast was also good. The movie was shot in the lovely places, captured beautiful dry landscapes, but there were a couple of scenes in the rain. Overall, a great movie, far from exhibiting the existing culture, but conflict remained the same. I feel like I must appreciate author as well this filmmaker to give such a nice movie.
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Picked this movie on a whim. Glad that I did. Convincing performances, although Castulo Guerra's portrayal of Tenorio seemed a little over the top at times. I thought the storyline was pretty taut, and the themes of spirituality and justice are played well. Would not be surprised if this made many critics' top 10 lists for 2013.
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Offsetting stiff acting with rich atmosphere, visuals and music, this long-awaited picture hits the novel's key plot points without denying its spiritual soul.
Obviously a labor love, and its very existence in a godforsaken marketplace is a minor miracle.
The film often stumbles in translation, trying to define too many characters in too little time.
It’s an engaging yarn, set in a place, a time and among a people rarely represented on the big screen. But “Ultima” is a poetic novel that becomes prosaic on the screen.
The lyrical book is filled with touches of magical realism. On the other hand, the movie is sorely lacking in both magic and realism. It’s all very empty and blah.
I watched this movie (rented on Redbox) and was pleasantly entertained. "Bless Me, Ultima" is a coming-of-age movie the tradition of the genre. Directed by Carl Franklin adapted from the novel by Rudolfo Anaya, the movie follows young Antonio (played exceedingly well by Luke Ganalon) and his relationship with Ultima (Miriam Colon), an elderly medicine woman. Set in a small, rural village in 1940s New Mexico, Antonio comes to terms with his Catholic upbringing and the old shaman magic of Ultima. The old woman serves as a mentor to the boy.
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If you're tired of the usual Hollywood loud special effects films, or the extended bad sit-com movies, this might be an option for you. Slow paced and dialogue driven, spiritual, and completely watchable. The success of the entire movie depends on child actor Luke Ganalon, and he does an excellent job in the title role. One day an elderly medicine woman (a "Curandera") arrives at young Antonio's home to spend the final days of her life, and there is an instant bond between the two. She teaches him the ways of her healing and magic, and the special relationship Man shares with the earth. Curanderas are both revered and feared in their culture, and she is seen as an evil witch by some. The only problem I had with the movie is that it is narrated by the older Antonio in parts, and it is never explained who he has become as an adult. Still, a well done film.
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Read professional critic reviews scoring equal to or less than 50...Yeah, what they said. Excited when I saw this offering on streaming video, I watched patiently for an hour and thirty-four minutes, ignoring the depictions very broad strokes. Stunned I was when I realized that the filmmakers had utterly failed to capture what, to my mind, is an iconic moment in literature, akin to Gandalf standing his ground on a narrow stone bridge over an abyss. Good to see film treatment **** story too-long neglected; bad because a "reboot" will, likely, never happen.
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Hm-m, where do I begin? Yes this movie is different from a typical Hollywood movie. Does it necessarily mean better? I don't think so. Not in this particular case.
The set is beautiful. But that is nearly the only positive thing I am telling about the movie. The screenplay did not impress me. It is admittedly difficult to make a good script out **** book. Acting? What would be an opposite of "stand out"? "Obscure"? That is how I could describe most of kids' performances including the main character. He is so cute! Maybe the director assumed that good looks could replace acting skills? With the same expression the hero watches how tragic things happen all around him. Truly, it is beyond y comprehension, why most of critics are so hype about the movie...
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Production Company
BCD Travel,
Gran Via Productions,
Monarch Pictures,
Monkey Hill Films,
Tenaja Productions
Release Date Feb 22, 2013
Duration 1 h 46 m
Rating PG-13
Awards
Imagen Foundation Awards
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
