A Walk in the Clouds

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A Walk in the Clouds

PG-13

1995

1h 42m

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

46%

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28 Reviews

75%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When soldier Paul Sutton (Keanu Reeves) is on his way home after World War II, he realizes that he barely knows his young wife, Betty (Debra Messing). With the couple's relationship strained and Paul haunted by memories of the war, he is happy to have a diversion in the form of beautiful traveler Victoria Aragon (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón). Circumstances force Paul to pose as Victoria's new husband for her close-knit Mexican-American family, a situation that brings tension and unexpected results.

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Critics Consensus

A Walk in the Clouds aims for sweeping period romance, but quickly unravels thanks to a miscast leading man and a story that relies on cheap melodrama.

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Roger Ebert

Chicago Sun-Times

A Walk in the Clouds is a glorious romantic fantasy, aflame with passion and bittersweet longing.

Rated: 4/4

Jan 1, 2000

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David Sterritt

Christian Science Monitor

The tale is far from original, but director Alfonso Arau bathes it in a golden glow that goes beyond nostalgia to sheer dreaminess.

Rated: 3/4

Mar 29, 2019

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Rachel Wagner

rachelsreviews.net

Directed by Alfonso Arau this movie looks gorgeous with vineyard cinematography and intimate camera work.

Rated: 8/10

Mar 7, 2019

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Quentin Curtis

Independent on Sunday

Alfonso Arau's A Walk in the Clouds is a lush, old-fashioned melodrama, and almost endearingly inept.

Dec 12, 2017

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Renee Schonfeld

Common Sense Media

Unplanned pregnancy leads to family lies, surprise romance.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 30, 2010

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Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

Rated: 2/5

Apr 1, 2008

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Wilfredo M

A well directed, old fashioned romance. Well portrayed by an excellent international cast! Brought the best out of Keanu Reeves! A good watch!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/17/25

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david t

Gorgeous leading lady Happy ending Sappy story Vintage cornball

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

09/06/25

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Stephen C

Success in 1 hour and 42 minutes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $48,000,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/02/25

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Nathan Y

Your enjoyment of this movie will definitely come down to how open you are to Keanu in a non-action type film. I find him charming in this. It’s not a script with a lot for any actor to dig into anyway, and he’s believable as a young soldier with a some sadness and a big heart. The cast around him bring a lot of passion to the work and while some have suggested he didn’t belong with such strong actors, I would argue he reads as an outsider exactly as the character calls for here. He’s a fish out of water, but certainly not a dead fish. It’s the cinematography and lush soundscape that makes this film for me, anyway. The scenery is robust and gorgeous. The film score is clearly reaching back to classic films with moving and ever-present orchestration. I will admit the music gets a bit much at times, but as a fan of old movies, I don’t mind the indulgence. It only feels that way because we don’t score movies like that anymore. The plot has a predictable end, of course. But for me, the feast of exotic locale, music, and beautiful, sweeping wide shots makes for a viewing experience that’s more engaging than your usual romantic drama fare.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

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Joana D

This movie shows off the history of Mexican-Aerican families that were in California long before it was the United States. Anthony Quinn at his finest!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/01/25

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Diane A

Beautiful romantic movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/25

Full Review

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Alfonso Arau

Director

Keanu Reeves

Paul Sutton

Aitana Sánchez-Gijón

Victoria Aragón

Anthony Quinn

Don Pedro Aragón

Giancarlo Giannini

Alberto Aragón

Angélica Aragón

María José Aragón

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Synopsis

When soldier Paul Sutton (Keanu Reeves) is on his way home after World War II, he realizes that he barely knows his young wife, Betty (Debra Messing). With the couple's relationship strained and Paul haunted by memories of the war, he is happy to have a diversion in the form of beautiful traveler Victoria Aragon (Aitana Sánchez-Gijón). Circumstances force Paul to pose as Victoria's new husband for her close-knit Mexican-American family, a situation that brings tension and unexpected results.

Director: Alfonso Arau
Producer: Gil Netter, David Zucker, Jerry Zucker
Screenwriter: Piero Tellini, Cesar Zavattini, Vittorio de Benedetti, Robert Mark Kamen, Mark Miller, Harvey Weitzman
Production Co: 20th Century Fox, Zucker Brothers Productions
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 29, 2012
Box Office (Gross USA): $48.0M
Runtime: 1h 42m

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