Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor
Bass (Winston 'Bello' Bell) and young Gloria (Briana Harris) CONTRIBUTED
BEFORE WE all rush to make negative pronouncements on the latest Jamaican movie, Gloria to Gloriana, let us remember that this, more than most to date, accurately portrays the totality of who we are as a people. We triumph and excel in spite of and against all odds. So, I do not take the view that it's a disaster.
To do that would be to forget that films are a culmination of all the elements that comprise them. Invariably, there is at least one redeeming quality in most films. Gloria to Gloriana worked on many levels; first of all, someone dared to depart from the drugs, don, gangs, guns, violence and Rasta themes that tend to dominate many locally produced films. Jamaica represents more than those themes and it's time to tell those stories.
The Harder They Come remains everlasting because it captured many honest aspects of who we are. Who can forget the death-defying country bus ride through the hills of Jamaica to get to Kingston with the country bumpkin soon-to-be reggae superstar? Also, movies based on biographies, very often omit many of the details that the biographers would love to include. Directors and producers cite many technical reasons for this. Some things must appear larger-than-life on the screen.
WE CANNOT HAVE IT ALL
So in Gloria to Gloriana, many otherwise revealing scenes ended on the cutting floor. Perhaps these will be part of the DVD later. Whereas I would love to have seen a few blocks going up in the construction of the heroine's hotel and more of her children's development, or even more of the bakery business that gave her the funds for the hotel, we cannot have it all.
There were many enjoyable things about this movie. It depicts a Jamaica with its beautiful countryside of rivers, hills, palatial dwellings, humble, but clean homes and hard-working people struggling to survive. It also depicts, in a credible way, the strong, business savvy women who just are also very weak in matters of the heart and hold the belief that, "him beat me because him love me."
Like Gloria, there are women who choose to stay (even with clear alternatives), with men who are parasites and abusers. They maintain blind trust and hand over their hard-earned money even when they know it is being used to support other women. But, happily, Gloria did not resort to retaliation like many women faced with the same situation. She triumphs in the end.
Gloria to Gloriana begins with the grand opening of Gloria's (Carol Campbell) hotel; there is much celebrating as her best friend, Precious (Suzanne Mari), arrives from overseas for the event. They repair to her lavish living quarters upstairs to reminisce, and using the flash-back technique, we see Gloria's story unfold.
The child Gloria is played by Briana Harris and the scenes with her mother, Mimi (Marguerite Newland), set the stage for what's to come. Gloria's father, Bass (Winston 'Bello' Black), dies early in the film, but makes subsequent ghostly appearances, having taken on the role of guardian angel when she needs him most.
STORY NOT UNIQUE
Gloria's story is not unique; circumstances early in life force her to seek employment and fend for herself. Hers is a story of struggle, hustling, being uneducated and falling prey to men who are not averse to using her for their own selfish ends. The cycle of too many children leading to too few alternatives save remaining trapped in order to make their lives better, is played out right in front of our eyes. Everyone of us knows a Gloria Minto.
Some might be tempted to say this is a Royal Palm reunion as the cast of characters comes largely from that Sunday series roster. For that reason, the actors seemed literally type cast. If that's the best we can do, it's time for thespians to take acting seriously enough to pursue it at the tertiary level.
That aside, top marks for editing; the scenes flowed showing progress in that aspect of our movie-making capabilities. The music worked because the pieces chosen blended harmoniously with the scenes. The costumes seemed for the most part to have been well researched. However, the gowns for the hotel opening scenes lack glamour. Lighting, except for the hotel opening scene, was good and the outdoor scenes were well done.
The acting was the weakest element of this movie, but there were some highs. Pastor's (Oliver Samuels) brief scene was effective, just enough to keep him from going over the top. Mr. Bailey (Teddy Price), as the businessman left his Royal Palm character opting for a more senior citizen-type persona and it worked. Leonie Forbes'(Miss Ivy) delivery of the mother-in-law from hell went over well. And she played perfectly opposite the obeah woman, Mother Jonas (Bertina Macaulay). This is one scene for which the director/screenwriter should receive credit. The obeah woman wisely advised the angry mother to see a doctor rather than leave the impression that Jamaicans are all a bunch of stupid and totally superstitious lot. This was the funniest scene for me too.
Rodney Campbell's portrayal of Milton Minto, the abusive, sweet-talking and contemptuous yet, concerned father, deserves credit. He is clearly familiar with this type of Jamaican man. Throughout the movie, I could hear the angry words hurled at him by people in the theatre. His performance was credible because we have all seen or heard of the Milton Mintos of Jamaica.
Glory to Gloriana is a worthy effort and every attempt should be made to see it.
