Gloria Bell 2019

Note: this is a remake of the 2013 Spanish-language Chilean film of the same name.

Gloria Bell (played by Julianne Moore) is a vibrant woman in her fifties who has been navigating life post-divorce for nearly a decade. With two adult children and a routine office job at an insurance company, she balances her weekdays working and caring for her kids, while her nights are filled with lively escapades at local clubs, specifically tailored for other middle-aged singles like herself. However, her home life has its quirks, including a stray cat that keeps invading her space and a noisy neighbor who adds to her daily chaos.

One fateful night at a nostalgic disco for singles, she meets [Arnold](played by John Turturro), a freshly divorced man who shares her love for dancing. The chemistry between them is palpable, leading to a night of fun and intimacy. During a visit to the salon for a leg waxing, Gloria finds herself discussing her cat troubles with her waxer, who enlightens her with a whimsical biblical story about the creation of cats as protectors against mice overpopulation on Noah’s Ark.

Their budding relationship takes a turn when Arnold invites Gloria on an official date. The date, however, is punctuated by his frequent phone calls from his two adult daughters, revealing the lingering ties to his past. Despite being divorced, Arnold admits he continues to financially support his ex-wife and daughters, who seem to demand much of him. He mentions his recently undergone gastric bypass surgery that has transformed his appearance, something he feels defines his new beginning.

As they continue dating, their outings include fun-filled days at Arnold’s paintball venue. Yet, the dominance of his daughters in his life weighs heavily on Gloria, especially when he lies about his whereabouts during their relationship, aiming to shield them from potential anger. This deception hurts Gloria, who finds herself vexed by his evasiveness.

The dynamics further complicate when Gloria brings Arnold to her son Peter’s birthday celebration. Peter, amidst his struggles with new fatherhood and a recently abandoned relationship, adds another layer of tension to the gathering. Gloria’s vibrant announcement of her daughter Anne’s pregnancy stirs unexpected reactions, leading to uncomfortable exchanges. The awkwardness is compounded when Arnold receives more calls from his daughters and unceremoniously leaves, increasing Gloria’s embarrassment.

After a series of missed connections and heated confrontations, with Gloria telling Arnold to “grow a pair,” she seeks solace in the comfort of her friends and indulges in her newfound love for dance once again. Following a rollercoaster of events that include a tearful goodbye to her daughter Anne as she heads off to Sweden, Gloria navigates her own emotional turmoil, with a revelation about her failing eyesight adding to her woes.

Their next adventure takes them to Las Vegas, full of promise and excitement. But just as they begin to enjoy their time together, Arnold’s daughters once again interrupt, this time with news of their mother’s misfortune. Gloria, feeling exhausted by this onslaught of family drama, realizes Arnold’s inability to prioritize their relationship during critical moments.

The narrative spirals into chaos when Arnold vanishes from their hotel, leaving Gloria feeling abandoned and alone. After a wild night filled with escapism at the casinos and an encounter with a younger man (played by Sean Astin), she returns home, confronted yet again by the persistent stray cat, which she finally decides to care for.

Despite Arnold’s relentless attempts to reach her, she chooses to cut ties, even tossing aside his paintball gun in a moment of emotion. However, in a twist of fate, she finds herself at Arnold’s house, seeking closure in an unconventional manner—by firing paintballs into his home, demonstrating her unresolved feelings in a riotous outburst.

In the climactic conclusion, at her friend Rita Wilson’s daughter’s wedding reception, Gloria finally steps onto the dance floor as the iconic song “Gloria” plays, symbolizing her reclaiming her joy and independence, swept up in the music and the moment.