Rating: 
Summary: Remarkable movie and cast
Review: "The House of the Spirits" was unknown to me until I read a review by my friend, "lawyeraau". I can't thank her enough for introducing this movie to me. This is not the story of a house, but rather two... that takes place in South America...a beautiful country with an urgent desire to reform. Here begins our 60 year long saga of three remarkable generations. Esteban (Jeremy Irons) wants to marry the young bride Rosa, the beautiful daughter of the Del Valle family. But an accidental tragedy takes the young girl's life and Esteban leaves, heart-broken to find his fortune on a large farm in the country side. Here he builds a beautiful house, hires ranch-hands, and becomes the infinitely wealthy "Patron". Esteban returns to the house his former beloved once lived, and to his surprise, he instantly falls in love with Rosa's younger and very clairvoyant sister, Clara (Meryl Streep). They marry and return to his wealthy farm, bringing along Esteban's sister Ferla (Glenn Close) who is a turmoiled woman who has never known affection in her life. Esteban treats her abusively and cares nothing for her. Opposingly, Clara adores Ferla and they become closer than sisters. When I say closer, I can almost say there were moments of romantic love between Clara and Ferla. Ferla, who is an old, black-wearing spinster finds herself obsessed with Clara...her beauty, her passion, and her life, and believes her unusual gift of seeing the future brings her closer to God. All these things are denied in life to Ferla.
Once Clara gives birth to her daughter Blanca, Esteban in his hateful manner decides Ferla is a threat to his family and dismisses her forever from their lives. Life goes on at the ranch without Ferla's over-zealous presence. Evidence of Esteban having illegitimate children, and mistreating his ranch workers eventually causes too much trouble for him. He begins to grow forever angry at heart..resenting the locals, often beating them into submission to work. He treats, what he believes, the "lower caste" like animals and maintains a life-long disgust for them. How unfortunate for him that his daughter Blaca (Winona Ryder) falls for the most revolutionary man on the farm, Pedro (Antonio banderas). Thier love, like her parent's began at childhood and they intend never to be seperated. Pedro is chased with gun far from the farm (having no idea that Blanca is pregnant with his child). An attempt to control the revolutionary ideas of "The People" and to keep him away from Blanca. This is the beginning of futile wars to come in South America. One with many horrifying twists and turns for the family. This movie is excellent in so many ways. The cast was nothing short of perfection. There are enough hidden secrets, desires, politics, intrigue, war, torture, and affairs, to lend this movie enough dark corners to be explored, that it is impossible to even take notice of the length of the movie. It is long, but every chapter in this multi-generational film is as exciting as the first. I honestly don't understand why this movie is so unknown. It has that "classic" vibe that screams out for the attention it deserves. If you like this movie, you might also like a similar multi-generational movie..."Sunshine", another beatiful movie not to be missed.
Rating:
Summary: not bad, considering...
Review: ...that it's adapted from a novel. Since I haven't read the novel, I have nothing to compare it against but even then it's obvious that a lot has had to be omitted in order to make it into a film. Overall, it's a riveting film, though parts of it were fairly predictable---mainly the circular tragedy and poetic/ironic justice parts, and of course the South American socioeconomic/political history is very familiar. Not until reading the production notes on the DVD did I know for certain that the movie is set in Chile, but that was my first guess immediately---though it is curious that the film barely mentions in passing, the vital role of our C.I.A. in setting up the military coup which overthrew the democratically elected government and installed the hideously repressive and genocidal Pinochet regime. The ending, with Winona Ryder opining on the preciousness of life's every moment and the power of love and forgiveness, basically pops up out of nowhere but I'm sure that these themes are much better developed in the novel. There are far worse ways to spend 2 hours; with this film, despite its subtle flaws, at least we get a little bit of modern South American history and society, even if the dirty little secrets of our C.I.A. involvement in it are just barely hinted at. In many ways it is not only a good eye-opener about social and political injustice and brutality, but also carries something of a feminist edge---showing the reckless and self-absorbed megalomania and egotism of the ambitious men who claw their way into the ruling class and then proceed to keep everyone else around them down and under their thumbs.
Rating:
Summary: not bad, considering...
Review: ...that it's adapted from a novel. Since I haven't read the novel, I have nothing to compare it against but even then it's obvious that a lot has had to be omitted in order to make it into a film. Overall, it's a riveting film, though parts of it were fairly predictable---mainly the circular tragedy and poetic/ironic justice parts, and of course the South American socioeconomic/political history is very familiar. Not until reading the production notes on the DVD did I know for certain that the movie is set in Chile, but that was my first guess immediately---though it is curious that the film barely mentions in passing, the vital role of our C.I.A. in setting up the military coup which overthrew the democratically elected government and installed the hideously repressive and genocidal Pinochet regime. The ending, with Winona Ryder opining on the preciousness of life's every moment and the power of love and forgiveness, basically pops up out of nowhere but I'm sure that these themes are much better developed in the novel. There are far worse ways to spend 2 hours; with this film, despite its subtle flaws, at least we get a little bit of modern South American history and society, even if the dirty little secrets of our C.I.A. involvement in it are just barely hinted at. In many ways it is not only a good eye-opener about social and political injustice and brutality, but also carries something of a feminist edge---showing the reckless and self-absorbed megalomania and egotism of the ambitious men who claw their way into the ruling class and then proceed to keep everyone else around them down and under their thumbs.
Rating: 
Summary: I wanted to like this movie
Review: I actually just saw this movie for the first time condering its a '93 movie and I imediately came to Amazon to purchase it, it's one of those collectable movies. The story is very touching, very emotional, very real. The acting - not surprising by the line of actors - is wonderful. Each character appeals to you in a certian way. The history is deep and the hardships of this family, although very well off and influential, heartfelt. It puts one in awe at how even people who have so much power at one point can loose it all in an instant, as well as to never treat those beneath you unfairly because of your power, wealth, or position. Never burn bridges basically. I found myself thinking about the movie days after. Definately a movie to have, keep, and watch over again every once in a while.
Rating:
Summary: Very touching
Review: I actually just saw this movie for the first time condering its a '93 movie and I imediately came to Amazon to purchase it, it's one of those collectable movies. The story is very touching, very emotional, very real. The acting - not surprising by the line of actors - is wonderful. Each character appeals to you in a certian way. The history is deep and the hardships of this family, although very well off and influential, heartfelt. It puts one in awe at how even people who have so much power at one point can loose it all in an instant, as well as to never treat those beneath you unfairly because of your power, wealth, or position. Never burn bridges basically. I found myself thinking about the movie days after. Definately a movie to have, keep, and watch over again every once in a while.
Rating:
Summary: AN OUTSTANDING MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAMILY SAGA...
Review: I love this movie! It has a stellar cast, who give top notch performances. How can you go wrong with Jeremy Irons, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close, Antonio Banderas, Winona Ryder, Vanessa Redgrave, and Armin Muehler-Stahl? The answer is that you can't. It is a riveting piece of film making, based loosely upon Isabelle Allende's wonderful book of the same name. The film delicately captures the mysticism of the book, rendering those scenes in which such is the focal point highly believable. This is no mean feat given the subject matter. The story takes place in South America. The saga begins in the nineteen thirties. Vanessa Redgrave and Armin Muehler-Stahl play the wealthy and liberal parents of two daughters, Rosa and Clara Del Valle. Rosa is the beautiful, older daughter. Clara, played by Meryl Streep's real life daughter, is a lovely child with exceptional, psychic gifts. Jeremy Irons plays the part of Esteban Trueba, an impoverished young man in love with Rosa. Vowing to make his fortune in order to marry her and provide her with the comforts to which she is accustomed, he succeeds in making his fortune. He loses Rosa, however, before being able to marry her, when she drinks poisoned wine intended for her liberal party father. Esteban, broken hearted, leaves with his fortune and buys an estancia, where he sternly rules with an iron fist over the peasants who work the land for him. They obsequiously refer to him as "Patron". He takes what he wants, even the women, with the expected result. He has a bastard son whom he does not acknowledge. Esteban has a spinster sister, Ferla, well acted by Glenn Close, who, for the past twenty years, has lived a grim existence in the city with their ailing mother, whom she has taken care of. When their mother dies, Esteban, now a bitter and lonely man, returns to the city from his estancia to attend his mother's funeral. In doing so, he spots Clara, who is now all grown up and ethereally portrayed by the very talented Meryl Streep. Not wasting a moment, he goes to her home. She, luminous, and mystical, already knows that he is there to ask for her hand in marriage and happily accepts. After all, she has loved him ever since she first saw him all those years ago. Clara lovingly embraces his sister, Ferla, into the bosom of her househould, when they move to her Esteban's estancia. Ferla blossoms from a bitter old maid into a companionable and pleasant woman, under Clara's warmth. Esteban and Clara eventually have a child, Blanca, who grows up playing with Pedro, the son of the estancia's indigenous indian foreperson. When Esteban discovers this, he sends Blanca away to boarding school. He does not want his daughter fraternizing with the peasants. Clara, loving and pure of heart, is his exact opposite. When their daughter finally grows up and returns home from school, she knows that the independent Blanca, well played by Winona Ryder, has fallen in love with her childhood playmate, Pedro, passionately portrayed by Antonio Banderas. Esteban hates Pedro, as Pedro is a liberal inciting the peasants to unionize and demand their rights, whipping them into a frenzy against the "Patron", or so Esteban sees it. He drives Pedro off his land. He also drives Ferla off, as he believes her to have unatural feelings for his wife, Clara. Possessive to a fault, he is consumed by jealousy. Clara and Esteban have a fight over his cruelties, and she finally leaves him, taking Blanca with her to the Del Valle family home in the city. Meanwhile, life goes on. Blanca, pregnant by Pedro, has his child, believing that Pedro has been killed by her father. Esteban, representing the wealthy, becomes senator. He reigns for years, until the liberals win power. When they do, however, their tenure is short lived, as a militairy coup sets up a reign of terror and his old sins come home to roost. Meanwhile, Blanca discovers that Pedro is alive, and they joyously hook up again. When Blanca is picked up as a political dissident and tortured for her political views, Esteban, old and broken, is now just a bit player in a larger arena. Too late, he tries to right some wrongs. Some of the wrongs, however, can never be righted. This is a magnificent, multi-generational family epic, that holds the viewer in its thrall. While it only loosely follows Isabelle Allende's wonderful book of the same name, it is a winner in its own right. It has something for everyone, as it deals with human nature, as well as the complex emotions, forces, and events that shape one. The film is about a family struggling to find its place in our ever changing world, and the relationships that each member of that family forges. It is a rich and vibrant tapestry, which succeeds in capturing the viewer.
Rating: 
Summary: WAYLAYS THE NOVEL'S SOUL, BUT A PRETTY GOOD FILM NONETHELESS
Review: I quite enjoyed at least 75% of this gripping movie because it tells an interesting story, however haphazardly it may be condensed from Isabel Allende's eponymous novel. About 400 pages worth is squashed into the film's lean 140 minutes, but it doesn't skip so much that it gets confusing. The book had relied on first person narrative, which lent the sweeping generational and political tumults in a South American country the right touch of personal fervour, and more importantly, a consistent point of view. The film on the other hand falters on this facet, a deficiency that robs the film of its conviction, its soul. The director seemed to have assumed that the pithy story would be enough to keep the audience interested, but it is not. About two-thirds of the way through the movie, I found myself counting minutes. The terrific cast is what ultimately salvages the movie. Meryl Streep in particular is perfect in her depiction of the ethereal, psychic wife of a powerful plantation owner. Jeremy Irons, as her jealous and ruthless husband, has some fantastic moments too but hams it up somewhat when he plays himself as an old man. Yet his torn emotional battle between his family and his political ambitions is so well brought out that one actually relates to his quandary. All in all, although the film waylays something pivotal along the way and of course skimps on being a loyal adaptation, it is surely a lot better than its average rating on Amazon would suggest. Definitely a recommended rental.
Rating:
Summary: Don't watch this until you've read the book
Review: I watched this movie right after reading the book by Isabel Allende. I don't know if I would have followed the action of the movie as well otherwise. When you get past the somewhat unbeliable casting of American actors as South America characters (where Antonio Banderas has the most believeable accent - you know you are in trouble), this movie is a pretty entertaining soap opera of familial events set in a political background. The movie cuts out a lot of the characters from the book that you might miss (like the twins, the granddaughter, and a host of psychic friends, but it still manages to be entertaining if not melodramatic. The settings of the movie really do sort of capture that magical realism tone of the book exceptionally, and the pace of the movie is excellent. I would recommend this movie if you enjoy a sort of generations of a family melodrama, particularly if you are a fan of the book or Allende's other writings.
Rating:
Summary: Not a widescreen version available?
Review: I've been anticipating when this film would be released on DVD. Unfortunately there was no indication anywhere on the website what aspect ratio it was. When I received it, to my disappointment, it was a standard screen version. I am assuming there is no widescreen version available. This is really stupid that some theatrical DVDs are being released only in standard version when there are increasingly a lot of people out there, like myself, who are purchasing widescreen TVs. I've vented my anger but I doubt if it will do any good. It still is a good film but not as enjoyable to watch on a 55" big screen TV.
Rating: 
Summary: The DVD version has been edited and is shorter than the VHS.
Review: I've saw this movie on VHS a long time ago. I saw it again on DVD recently and I have noticed that it has been re-edited and shortened. In the longer version, the Jeremy Irons character at the beginning of the film is in his old age. He visits his old farmhouse with his daughter and remembers the years gone past. The movie then goes into a flashback and tells the story from his youth. In the DVD version, the entire opening scene is omitted and the story is told from the beginning. Therefore there is NO suggestion of a flashback. The edited out opening scene is quite poignant and gives more insight into the Jeremy Irons character. Decent and interesting film none the less. Hopefully the studio will release it in it's original unedited version with extras.
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