rick morrow The true meaning of romance can be found, seen and felt in this film. One only needs to look into the eyes of the Celia and Charles and listen to their words and feel the passion they both express to be loved. Sofio Milos does a magnificent portrayal of a Portuguese woman who once found love with a man that only a few would ever find and after his death she knew it would be her last gift. In steps Charles and as far as Celia is concerned, he doesn't really exist because of her love for her husband and honor, would not allow any other man in her life. With a little help from her daughter and the persistence of Charles driven by is on own passion to win Celia's heart, to be loved again.

conceicao_ramos I do agree with the comments I have read. The film is a fine romantic pic, and when I wasn't thinking it pretended to be about Portuguese people who live in USA, I almost enjoyed it. I think films have a double role: to entertain and teach us something. What can people, who don't know Portugal or Portuguese people, learn with a film about "Portuguese", if people doesn't speak Portuguese, and even their names aren't common Portuguese names and surnames? It's a kind of arrogance and ignorance to make a film about Portuguese and be misinformed that much. Only in Hollywood, it's possible to make a film in which the only things really Portuguese are fado and sardines... Even the music at the popular party is a bad sample of Brazilian music. It's a shame!

tedg You may be interested in this merely because Emmy Rossum is so appealing. She has one of those accidental faces that's somewhat over-sized featurewise. But like others (Kyra, Julia) she can light up the area with her smile. But she has more natural range and appeal than they do. And she's helped by another natural, Theresa Russell.But this story is a disaster. You can see how the writer worked: to the ordinary story of single mother seeking love from a pretender while daughter watches they add stuff. And what stuff: threads about gambling, fishing, cooking, singing and "Latin" love. But none of these threads go anywhere, none of them connect with each other or the main story. The result is a mess. The DVD has an original ending that is entirely apt in its discontinuity, and an accompanying commentary that expresses disgust over that same disconnectedness. Amazing.Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

xenophil The opening shots in this film were beautiful, and I was happy to recognize the New England coastline even before it was identified. I hoped I would get a look into an interesting American community. My pleasurable anticipation grew when I saw how attractive-looking the actors were.I first realized something was wrong in the first casino scene, when I heard the English accent of the Charlie character. Why couldn't she fall in love with an American from New Bedford? What does England have to do with the Portuguese-American community? Or reprobate gamblers? Nothing! it's really just an improbable, contrived, tinny romance. The Portuguese characters are only cardboard. This movie strains to drag in interest from afar, instead of developing the life that's throbbing all around. (I'm glad I never saw the Seattle version. That sounded even worse!)Isn't the life and career of the woman interesting enough? How did she transform herself from the sewing factory worker to torch singer every day? What about the fishermen, and the handsome fisher-boy? I found myself wishing for a different movie.I have nothing against the English. I love them and their accents! But something is wrong when you have nothing to do but admire Jason Isaacs' face as much as you want to. (I'm sure I never got that good a look at Sean Connery.)I have to admit, the cinematography was beautiful, and I loved the singing. I would love to learn more about 'faro'.