Paulina García in Gloria (Roadside Attractions)

Gloria opens with a wide shot of a lively dance floor of men and women older than 50. The camera slowly zooms in on our lone main character standing by herself amongst a sea of happy revelers. It’s a shot that very quickly captures Gloria’s dilemma—she’s surrounded by people but ultimately alone in her search for love. It’s a poignant struggle for any person but seems magnified for a woman of her age.

Lead actress Paulina Garcia won best actress award at last year’s Berlin Film Festival, and it doesn’t take long to figure out why. Her hangdog face is a constant source of longing and disappointment, and she plays the role with an outstanding combination of restraint, exuberance, and observation.

Set in Santiago, Chile, Gloria has two grown children, but neither one visits nor calls much. Her ex-husband has remarried while she searches for companionship. She spends most of her time at work and dancing at social clubs, when not home alone, and she seems to have no friends beyond her housekeeper and an unwanted, hairless cat that visits her apartment frequently. That’s why Rodolfo (Sergio Hernández), a charming, intense, divorced man that she meets on the dance floor, provides a much needed ray of light. He seems genuine, filled with passion and comes on strong. Their relationship appears perfect, but the proverbial roadblocks ensue. Is Rodolfo truly what he appears to be, a kindhearted, caring, sensitive man? The drama plays out the answer with some humor and lots of care and sympathy.

It’s truly a change of pace to see a film that centers on an older, single woman. Director Sebastian Lelio was inspired by his mother’s generation and creating a film in that sphere. I’m sure there are more recent examples, but Jill Clayburgh in An Unmarried Woman (1978) comes to mind. In that film, a woman in her 30s deals with the effects of divorce and being single in New York. In contrast, Gloria has been divorced for a while and she and her kids are all grown up. Ultimately, both heroines experience passion through a man, but Gloria’s comes across as more flaky. For example, Rodolfo slips out of his first meeting with Gloria’s family when he feels overwhelmed.

Whether these lead characters end up with their respective men or not, they somehow seem stronger from the experience. And while Gloria often focuses on loneliness, it’s ultimately a celebration of growing and independence. No matter what your age or gender, you may see a bit of yourself in the title role.