Plot: At the end of the 19th century in Cartagena, a marine port in Colombia, Florentino Ariza falls in love at first sight of Fermina Daza. They secretly correspond and she eventually agrees to marry but her father discovers their relationship and sends her to distant relatives. When she returns some years later, Fermina agrees to marry Dr. Juvenal Urbino, her father's choice. Their fifty year marriage is marked by roughly equal amounts of love and anger. Fermina's marriage devastates Florentino, but his mother throws a willing widow into his bed and he discovers that sex is a very good pain reliever. He begins to number and describe each of his women, beginning with #1, the widow, and eventually has over 600 names and notes. He also decides to be as successful and rich as Dr. Urbino and, when the doctor dies suddenly, immediately renews his courtship of Fermina.
Alternative Plot: When Florentino Ariza (Javier Bardem) sees Fermina Daza (Giovanna Mezzogiorno) through a villa window, it is love at first sight. Though a man of modest means, Florentino's skill as a poet awakens a similar passion within Fermina. But Fermina's father disapproves of the affair and vows to keep the lovers apart. Fermina eventually marries an aristocratic doctor (Benjamin Bratt), and they move to Paris. Florentino, however, still loves Fermina and patiently waits for a chance to be with her again.
Rate this movie!