A SILENT LOVE
By V.A. MUSETTO

October 29, 2004

In English, and in Spanish, with English subtitles. Running time: 100 minutes. Not rated (a brief sex scene). At the Quad, 13th Street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues.

A film professor in Montreal marries a Mexican woman young enough to be his daughter, then falls for her more-age-appropriate mom in "A Silent Love."

The feature debut of director/co-writer Federico Hidalgo starts as a low-key comedy as middle-aged Norman (Noel Burton) travels south of the border to claim 28-year-old Gladys (Vanessa Bauche), whom he met through the Internet.

The matchmaker says the two have a 61 percent chance of being compatible, but changes his mind when Gladys insists that her widowed mom, Fernanda (Susana Salazar), accompany her to Montreal.

The story turns serious as Norman, back in Canada, finds himself more attracted to his mother-in-law than to his bride.

The film also introduces several subplots that get in the way of the story.

Still, "A Silent Love" manages to entertain while saying something about loneliness and culture shock.