Meeting Venus (1991)

Who payed the critics

Expected more

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

This film is advertised as a biting satire, a romantic comedy, and a display of glorious operatic music. In fact, it is an old fashioned soap opera about "putting on a show." Yes, the acting is good. And there are indeed some telling observations on the difficulties of trade unions and nationalistic strains in contemporary Europe. But there is very, very little comedy, even less satire, and even less opera. Mostly the film is about the romance between a neurotic and unfaithful conductor and his even more neurotic soprano. We are supposed to care if they have a prolonged affair. There are plenty of tears, shouting, and angst.In the end, the show is so incredibly wonderful (we get a few snippets of the music, just enough to infuriate all Wagnerites) that everyone hugs and kisses. End of film. In short, this is a lengthy waste of time. Unless, of course, you're into soap opera.

I saw this last night on UK TV. Glenn Close looked the part as a diva.Her mouthing of Kiri Te Kanawa's singing was stunning. I've seen Elizabeth Schwarzkopf and Victoria de los Angeles sing, from the front row, and I would have believed this to be real thing, had it not been a movie.I can only imagine that Te Kanawa recorded it after Close has shot the scenes. Otherwise, Close is a wonderful mimic.Anyway, I was charmed by the movie. Simplistic it may be. But then so was Shakespeare in Love. And, as there, a miracle happens when the curtain goes up (except that there was no curtain at the Globe and here it doesn't actually go up, which is where the miracle happens).David

A marvelous film that anyone with an interest in classical music will enjoy - be they an opera lover or hater. Excellent bravura performances by Close and Arestrup conjure up a heady mix of artistic temperament, the politics of "The Arts" and great music. It is great fun. The film is exuberantly directed and the pace never lets up. A triumph for Director Victor Szabo.

This movie is really something different. It's all about music. It is about the desperate attempt of an idealistic hungarian conductor to perform "Tannhaeuser" in the opera house of Paris. The problems he encounters are unbelievable... and for us viewers, unbelievably funny.What really is wonderful about this movie is of course the music. It shows how much passion and love lies within classic music, and how much work there is to do until the staff of such a big production is finally in synch.This film also offers a chance to get an insight into classical music pieces. Some of the most splendid passages of Wagners "Tannhaeuser" can be listened to in full beauty, and thus the film might tempt some people to overcome their inhibitions and to dive into the world of opera.For those more interested in characterization there are a lot of weird persons playing in this story, showing different kinds of European lifestyle and tackling topics like prejudice, bureaucracy and of course love.