Love in the Time of Cholera (2008)

Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s exceptional novel, "Love in the Time of Cholera," doesn’t disappoint, so it’s best just to curl up with that and forget about the movie based on it.

In critical ways, this lush adaptation is a failure, but at least it can’t be accused of not making an effort.

Director Mike Newell and screenwriter Ronald Harwood had the challenge of trying to capture the magical prose for which Marquez is known.

But the nuances that exist within the pages of Marquez’s book don’t translate well to the screen, a literal environment that kneecaps “Cholera,” which is the story of a 50-year love affair one man (Javier Bardem) has for the aristocratic woman (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) who rejected him as a boy.

Complicating matters is the pace, which is sluggish, particularly given the movie’s 2 1/2 hour running time, and moments of genuinely risible dialogue. Lovely cinematography, though. With Benjamin Bratt and John Lequizama, as well as several fine songs by Shakira.

Rated R. Grade: C