The Milk of Sorrow

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The Milk of Sorrow

2010

1h 34m

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

78%

Tomatometer

41 Reviews

69%

Popcornmeter

5,000+ Ratings

A woman suffers from a rare disease.

Critics Consensus

Claudia Llosa's deliberate pace and abstract storytelling may frustrate some viewers, but there's no denying the visual pleasures soaking in The Milk of Sorrow.

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Chris Chang

Film Comment Magazine

Llosa, daughter of the author Mario Vargas Llosa, employs symbolism so overwrought, her material might well have been better served as a text-even given the film's abundant visual virtues (particularly its spectacular use of landscape).

Jun 17, 2013

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Sheri Linden

Los Angeles Times

The metaphors are so crystal-clear and the story unfolds at such a deliberate, often infuriatingly slow pace that the impact of the drama is muted.

Rated: 2.5/5

Sep 2, 2010

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Jeannette Catsoulis

New York Times

"The Milk of Sorrow" is constrained by a rarefied screenplay and a near-mute central performance.

Aug 27, 2010

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Beth Accomando

KPBS.org

Llosa, in only her second feature, reveals a maturity and confidence of a more experienced filmmaker.

Sep 23, 2020

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Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

Ultimately it feels underdeveloped, done in by its own latent impenetrability, doggedly holding its audience at arms length.

Rated: 2.5/4

Aug 5, 2019

Full Review

Sarah Manvel

Critic's Notebook

Some people have to be so brave just to live a normal life. What makes The Milk of Sorrow special is that, without being overbearing or explicit, Fausta's struggles to do just that can be seen as a metaphor for the struggles of Peru itself.

Aug 9, 2018

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Audience Member

Brilliant! The cinematography, acting, and screenplay are outstanding. Magnificent performance by Magaly Solier. A gem of a film!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/22/24

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Lanngeax .

Its Oscar nomination is acceptable considering Solier's performance and the slow-paced visual experience it gives.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

01/11/21

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lucca b

Its abstract narrative structure, heavy themes and slow pacing don't make for comfortable viewing, but its visual style, emotional narrative and superb performances prove that there are many good opportunities for filmmaking in Peru.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

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Audience Member

Peruda gecen perulu kadin bir yonetmenin yerlileri harika bir dille anlatışı.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

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Audience Member

The most beautiful movie I've seen since long time. Incredible imagery, music, storytelling, and acting.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/21/23

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Audience Member

The Milk Of Sorrow is a wonderful film that might not be for everyone. It's slow and very hands off in its direction. The proceedings transpire with a non sympathetic approach. I felt bad for the protagonist in a real world sense in that i understood where she was coming from, but without all the usual hollywood cues hollywood uses to munipulate emotion from the audience. The underlining allegory of the film is about dealing with old wounds and a destructive past; and how sometimes it may be easier to cling to pain than to move past it. I can relate to that and i can see how it can be difficult to let go of something that has soo deeply scarred you and you people that its essentially changed your DNA. It's beautifully shot, with a wonderful but simplistic sound track. Highly recommended viewing ***** Five out of Five stars.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/30/23

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Claudia Llosa

Director

Magaly Solier

Fausta

Susi Sánchez

Aída

Efraín Solís

Noé

Marino Ballón

Tío Lúcido

Antolín Prieto

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Synopsis

A woman suffers from a rare disease.

Director: Claudia Llosa
Producer: Antonio Chavarrías, Claudia Llosa, José María Morales
Screenwriter: Claudia Llosa
Distributor: Olive Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: Spanish
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 27, 2010, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 18, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $10.4K
Runtime: 1h 34m