Elisa & Marcela (2019) is a biographical, romance, and drama movie directed by Isabel Coixet. The movie is based on a true story that happened in Spain after the Roman Empire era. The film is a black and white presentation that brings the audience to the time when the two couples lived. This article is a synopsis and review of the Elisa & Marcela movie.
Synopsis
The story of the movie took place in 1885 when two girls met in a Catholic boarding school. Marcela (Greta Fernandez) was a freshman student, and Elisa Sanchez Loriga (Natalia de Molina) was a third-year student. Their first meeting happened when Marcela got lost while looking for her new classroom. Elisa saw Marcela drenched in the rain and suggested that she dry her clothes first before attending her class. Since then, they developed feelings for each other and became closer. However, the families did not approve of their relationship, and Marcela was prohibited from going to school and seeing Elisa. Her father even sent her to Madrid to study and become a teacher.
Despite being separated by distance and time, their feelings for each other did not fade, and Marcela came back to teach in the same school where Elisa was studying. Although they were happy together, people started to notice the unusual bond between them, and their forbidden relationship was put to test when they pretended to get married. They were persecuted and had to separate, but Marcela refused to leave Elisa. They eventually came up with a plan that would allow them to stay together.
In 1910, they arrived at a decision to marry. With the help of a friend, Elisa changed her appearance and identity to that of a man named Mario Sánchez. She then married Marcela, but their marriage was declared invalid by the Church, and they were prosecuted. They eventually found refuge in Portugal and disappeared from public view. The movie portrays their struggles and how they managed to overcome the challenges that stood in their way.
Review
Elisa & Marcela is an emotional and touching movie that tells a story of two women who fought for their love and happiness. The movie successfully displayed the love, passion, and struggles of the two main characters, Elisa and Marcela. The director, Isabel Coixet, effectively used the black and white presentation to give a vintage feel to the movie and transport the audience back in time to the early 20th century.
The acting was superb, with Natalia de Molina and Greta Fernandez giving remarkable performances as Elisa and Marcela, respectively. The chemistry between the two actresses was palpable and captivating, which made their love story believable.
The movie also sheds light on the issue of homosexuality, which is still considered taboo in many parts of the world. The story of Elisa & Marcela is inspiring and empowering, and it celebrates the strength and courage of the two women who lived in a time where their love was considered a sin.
Conclusion
Elisa & Marcela is a must-watch movie that shows the power of love and the courage to fight for it. The movie is well-directed and beautifully acted, making it an emotional and touching experience for the viewers. It is a story of two women who dared to love each other, and it celebrates the triumph of love over adversity.
