Sea of Dreams (2006)

After seeing all the reviews from other users, I was excited when the film was released in Tucson, Arizona. I was also interested in seeing Pepe Bojorquez's first film. I always support young Mexican filmmakers. The cast, it seemed, was phenomenal. You can tell it was a pretty big production for the quality of actors, but some, especially Sonia Braga, let me down. Her witchy character made me feel like I was watching a melodramatic soap opera and not a film. Her acting made no sense to me.But let me first focus on the positive aspects: the cinematography. You can tell that a lot of care was taken to achieve beautiful shots and that is greatly appreciated.The elements of the film I thought were hokey include the storyline. Being Mexican and knowing the Latin American cultures, I am fond of the magical realism. Believe me, I have enjoyed films such as Like Water for Chocolate, Santitos, even Woman on Top with Penelope Cruz. All these films, I felt, provided me with a good interpretation of magical realism... but Sea of Dreams was an IN YOUR FACE forced magical realism that became predictable, cliché. It went down the way of the magical realism that we all laughed at when watching films such as Zapata. The story, in itself, could have been more interesting, less predictable ans simplistic.Also, the dialogs became pathetic. It was all way to spelled out. It seemed as if the screenwriter does not believe the audience has ever seen any other film so they have to tell us EXACTLY what is going on without letting us interpret anything. Again, seemed more like a soap opera.Finally, what time period is this in? I saw a VW bug, then I saw a Rolliflex camera, and then I saw 1980 print dresses and 1940 type costuming. I was thoroughly confused. This just added to the eye-rolling I experienced when watching the film.I love Mexican Cinema. I love contemporary Mexican Cinema, but in this case, I was really let down. I have seen that Mexican Cinema has some good films, not dealing with social turmoil and violence, coming out of Mexico, but this is not one of them. I feel this film contributes to Mexico for Export/ Mexican Curios films which is overplayed at this point. I hope Pepe Bojorquez's next film proves to be more engaging and less cliché. Maybe start with a better script?

I don't understand why people (just some people) are saying that this is not a good movie. Maybe is because they are very angry at life or maybe because they are full on envy. Let me tell you, that this is one of the best movie I ever seen, the story is very good, the music is great and I loved the actors, especially Sonia Braga... everybody is so beautiful Sendi Bar, Johnathon Schaech, Julio Bekhor, Daniela Schmidt, Jessica Valdes... Wow! The other day I was reading a bad review that said that the movie was too beautiful. What??? Since when beautiful is bad??? Well... the only thing I got to say is that I love beautiful things and I guess that this is the main reason I Loved the movieTam!Que bonito es lo bonito!

I went to see the movie last night compelled by the advertising on Mexican TV. Magic Realism allows the makers of the movie to enter the deepest parts of your person to magnify different feelings. My parents passed away when I was a child and I have mixed emotions linked to my memories at the sea. In this movie the sea is a character that as much as it gives it can also take, in some way it sparked memories of my parents, specially one scene where the starfish appear on the beach. After the movie ended an undescriptible feeling of inner peace embraced me.The cinematography is magical, the music, casting and performances are very enjoyable.I am very happy to have seen this movie and I can't wait to see this director/writer's next film.

Very good, movie with, an excellent international casting.Beautiful Performance from Angelica Maria, Sonia Braga and Johnathon Schaech. The Ending quite unexpected. Good Movie. Quite different and neat.The scenarios are magical.The main song theme, it is very emotional and calm. Nice photography and Beautiful locations. It is very nice that now when we are surrounded by an atmosphere of fear we see a movie like this, I really enjoyed the 1:30 hours (close to) that I was seated in the movie theatre, I loved the colors shown is the movie that can take place in any Latin country