A must-see classic movie

a walk in the clouds

A 20th Century Fox movie in 1995, a Zucker Brothers production and an Alfonso-Arau film captured my inhabited life one evening.  A movie that has a simple plot yet romance and family bond propagated and a charismatic approach in depicting traditions and love is evident as the movie progresses.  I am referring to the movie "A Walk in the Clouds" starred by no less than the versatile actor himself Keanu Charles Reeves with Aitan Sanchez - Gijon as his leading lady.  Another great actor in the movie was Anthony Quinn.

Keanu Charles Reeves in his classic look

I remember Keanu Reeves' most prolific performance in his movie Matrix.  It was the movie whom most people would associate him with.  But in this movie I was so taken aback because the fact that the movie theme era was in 1940's after the World War II, Keanu surely displayed a magnificent acting.  I was not so

Beautiful Aitan Sanchez - Gijon 

sure though about any majestic masquerade platform but a variety of angles would actually tell us that romance plays an important role in movies like this.  Politically-laid down agenda would surely void the romantic scenery and castigate the loving and free-spirited movie lovers.  Thank God, no such thing ever showed in the movie.

After the war, the soldiers who defended our nations surely deserved a hero's welcome.  Much to the dismay of Paul Sutton (played by Keanu Reeves) no one was there to welcome him, not even his wife whom he married before enlisting.  His calm and soothing inner strength made me feel jealous of his character.  Not all people are able to hide anger and disappointments after coming from a distressful life.  Finding out that no sign of your beloved ones after the war would be frustrating and all.  But Paul played it cool and went home to his wife (played by Debra Messing).

In search for a family of his own to settle down he decided to do his best to make his wife happy by heading to Sacrament to sell chocolates as suggested by his wife of course.  He rode a bus and meet Victoria Aragon (played by Aitan Sanchez - Gijon).  Fate had played along.  Paul and Victoria exchanged words and Victoria finally revealed to Paul that she was pregnant and no husband to present to her family.  And because Paul was a very cool guy offered that he be introduced to her family as her husband.

  

When Paul went together with Victoria to the home of Aragons, he was introduced as Victoria's husband.  Naturally her father was angry for marrying somebody without  the latter's permission. Paul and Victoria planned that Paul will stay for the night and would quietly slip away and continue his journey  and letting the family of Victoria believed that he was abandoning her and the baby.  An unexpected invitation by the grand father of Victoria to walk with him in the vine yard changed Paul's mind of leaving and convinced to stay for the harvest of grapes.

Production of wine from grapes

Paul and Victoria tried to deny the feelings growing inside their heart.  As Paul learned about the family, traditions and love of the family of Victoria he grew weary of returning to his wife.  A burden he kept but not for so very long for he decided to leave Victoria and went on his way as planned.

When Paul went home, he was so shocked and hurt to discover his wife was with another man.  His wife planned to give him an annulment.  Of course Paul was more than happy even it was hurting for him.

So he went back to Nepa Valley and planned to marry Victoria.  When Paul returned he was confronted by Alberto (the father of Victoria) and they got into a fight.  Accidentally, their fight resulted to a huge fire which destroyed the vineyard of the Aragons.

  However, Paul remembered that there was  a plant that may still have its roots intact as it had been there for many years now.  And he did bring the plant back to the family.  And Victoria's father did accept Paul as their newest member.  And of course they lived fruitfully ever after.  

Indeed, the movie made me struggle to get what circumstance would a man be willing to be a father of somebody else's.  Fate could sometimes play a torturous yet funny way in our life.  I like the cinematography in the sense that it takes you to a place where you probably dream about but will not be able to go there.  

Upon reaching the part where the casts were making the wine I was surprised how the old traditions turned grapes into wine.  Well, it was fun to watch but somehow thankful that I am sure modern technology is helping our wine production much compared to the stamping by their feet over the grapes and produce wine.    

The End