A profound story told in a deceptively simple way: Bless Me, Ultima

Review by Jenny Alvarez

Photos: Courtesy

Based on the best-selling Chicano novel of all time by Rudolfo Anaya, the mystical coming-of-age film BLESS ME, ULTIMA debuts on DVD September 17th from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. Written for the screen and directed by Carl Franklin, BLESS ME, ULTIMA is based on the novel by Rudolfo Anaya. This movie is a story about Antonio Marez (Ganalon), a young boy growing up in New Mexico during World War II.  When a mysterious curandera (healer) named Ultima (Colon) comes to live with his family, she teaches him about the power of the spiritual world. As their relationship grows, Antonio begins to question the strict Catholic doctrine that he has been taught by his parents (Heredia and Martinez). Through a series of mysterious and at times terrifying events, Antonio must grapple with questions about his own destiny, the relationship between good vs. evil, and ultimately how to reconcile Ultima’s powers with those of the God of his church.

The success of the entire movie depends on child actor Luke Ganalon, and he does an excellent job in the title role. This movie is full of deliberate pace, reliance on Catholic symbolism, and sensitive wit certain topics as hypocrisy, family, life, death, religion with their failures. The story in general is very engaging, powerful and full of  flashback structures and is consider a Brilliant, gentle and beautiful film of life in northern New Mexico in the mid 1940’s.