Based on the novel by Ann Patchett, Bel Canto is the story of international socialites held hostage in a mansion by leftist guerilla fighters in an unspecified South American country. The rebels have caught wind that the president of the country would be present to see world-renowned opera star Roxanne Coss (Julianne Moore) perform at the home of Ruben Ochoa (Eddie Martinez) in honor of visiting Japanese business magnate, Mr. Hosokawa (Ken Watanabe), in order to persuade him to build a factory nearby.
It’s maybe 13 minutes into the film that the hostage situation begins. The guerillas pour into the mansion and take control. Police and government forces are dispatched and an experienced Red Cross negotiator, Messner (Sebastian Koch), interrupts his vacation to help expedite the release of the hostages. The film slows and focuses after this first bit of action, taking time to explore the interactions between hostages and guerillas and how they change as the weeks drag on.
Some critics reject this film as a bad romance movie, and they’re right. Simply labeling Bel Canto as a romantic drama is simplifying what actually happens in the movie. There are thriller, comedic, and slice-of-life elements that play into the plot more than simple romance. There are a lot of moving pieces to keep track of in this film and that complexity may drive those looking for a cut-and-dry romance away.
Some gripe about Julianne Moore’s performance, but beyond some minor complaints about her lip-syncing the operatic bits, she did a fine job portraying a captive diva. The performances of Ryô Kase as Mr. Hosokawa’s translator, Gen, and Maria Mercedes Coroy as the rebel fighter Carmen are particularly compelling. There are some beautifully bizarre moments as the hostage situation continues and both the captives and the rebels slowly go a little crazy trapped in this sprawling mansion together. The ending is heartbreaking and unexpected. Bel Canto is a surprisingly complex and subtle story and comes highly recommended for music and history students.