Terranova

Calogero Salvo's 1991 Terranova—receiving a belated U.S. release on DVD—boasts an early performance by Antonio Banderas, who was known in Spain but was still a couple of years away from securing A-list Hollywood stardom. Fans will likely be disappointed, however, as Banderas is just one member of a large ensemble cast in a confusingly unfocused melodrama set in 1950s rural Venezuela. Banderas plays Antonio, the charmingly flirtatious brother of Rosetta (Marisa Laurito),who is the head of an Italian immigrant farm family. The storyline revolves around Rosetta's unlikely friendship with aristocratic landowner Noemi (Mimí Lazo). The women share common ground, so to speak, in the local farmland, and their concern about getting enough rain for the crops accounts for a generous amount of the dialogue. Regardless of its Venezuelan setting, Terranova will seem very familiar with its tale of émigrés trying (often with challenging consequences) to acclimatize themselves to unfamiliar surroundings. Unfortunately, Salvo's direction frequently veers into unsubtle telenovela territory, with overheated emoting that undermines the sincere screenplay. Even Banderas is somewhat guilty with a performance anchored in male model–style posing. Not recommended. (P. Hall)