Bless Me, Ultima - 3 smiles

If you can get past the episodic nature of the narrative in “Bless Me, Ultima,” you’ll enjoy this adaptation of Rudolfo Anaya’s 1972 coming-of-age story that blends mysticism with conventional Catholicism.  The central character is Antonio (newcomer Luke Ganalon), a child trying to sort out positive from negative influences in his 1940s community. Antonio’s three older brothers are fighting in the World War II and the family is struggling. A medicine woman named Ultima (Miriam Colon) creates turmoil within the tight-knit community when she comes to stay with Antonio’s family. Ultima has healing powers, but she also arouses deep suspicion from some villagers who consider her to be a witch. She and Antonio share a deep bond that only intensifies when Ultima is targeted by bigoted forces.

The biggest weakness of the film is that the narrative is a collection of vignettes that often interferes with the forward momentum of the story and creates sections that lag. The script also relies too heavily on voice-over narration by the older Antonio (Alfred Molina). Nonetheless, there’s a lyrical feeling to many of the scenes and the spiritual curiosity of young Antonio never seems forced. Ganalon is effective in his first major role although sometimes he seems too mature for his age. Colon brings a soulful stature to her portrayal of a tough and mysterious woman who is teacher to Ganalon’s student. “Bless Me, Ultima”  is a definite for those who avoid big budget special effects movies and action shoot-em ups.  2/23/13