The overwhelming preponderance of American critics have incorrectly translated the title of "La Mujer de mi Hermano" as "My Brother's Wife." Indeed, even prestigious film critic Roger Ebert went so far as to suggest that the film should be retitled "My Husband's Brother" since the story was told from the wife's perspective.
Frankly, these critics missed the point: The correct translation is "My Brother's Woman," a deliberate reference to the heroine's ambivalence as the center of a romantic triangle between two brothers. In other words, with which brother does she really belong? The Spanish title is so right for its story.
Most critics also missed the point that within macho Latin culture, the hot-headed husband Ignacio might well have put his two-timing wife Zoe and cuckolding brother Gonzalo six feet under and, sub-textually, that's precisely where the story seemed to be speeding like an out-of-control freight train. Instead, surprisingly, Ignacio embraces his wife, forgives his brother and accepts his nephew as his own child. Yes, and his adulterous wife -- his brother's woman -- forgives his periodic bisexual dalliances. As Zoe says, it's only fair.
In the south-of-the-border world of predominately Catholic conservatism, this film provides a rare glimpse at social tolerance and interpersonal redemption. And though built on the chassis of a melodramatic telenovela, the societal resonance of its themes uplift the richness of the story to somewhere between "Unfaithful" and "Little Children." Beautifully photographed, beautifully acted and beautifully directed, this film has been woefully underrated by America's politically correct and culturally insensitive critical community. Do not be fooled.
"La Mujer de mi Hermano" is a very good film.
Frankly, these critics missed the point: The correct translation is "My Brother's Woman," a deliberate reference to the heroine's ambivalence as the center of a romantic triangle between two brothers. In other words, with which brother does she really belong? The Spanish title is so right for its story.
Most critics also missed the point that within macho Latin culture, the hot-headed husband Ignacio might well have put his two-timing wife Zoe and cuckolding brother Gonzalo six feet under and, sub-textually, that's precisely where the story seemed to be speeding like an out-of-control freight train. Instead, surprisingly, Ignacio embraces his wife, forgives his brother and accepts his nephew as his own child. Yes, and his adulterous wife -- his brother's woman -- forgives his periodic bisexual dalliances. As Zoe says, it's only fair.
In the south-of-the-border world of predominately Catholic conservatism, this film provides a rare glimpse at social tolerance and interpersonal redemption. And though built on the chassis of a melodramatic telenovela, the societal resonance of its themes uplift the richness of the story to somewhere between "Unfaithful" and "Little Children." Beautifully photographed, beautifully acted and beautifully directed, this film has been woefully underrated by America's politically correct and culturally insensitive critical community. Do not be fooled.
"La Mujer de mi Hermano" is a very good film.