Plot Explained Spoilers guaranteed!
Plot Explained

Browse by genre

Love in the Time of Cholera (2007) movie poster

Characters & Themes

Love in the Time of Cholera (2007) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2007 · 139 min · English
Directed by
Mike Newell
Starring
Javier Bardem, Benjamin Bratt, Giovanna Mezzogiorno

Florentino Ariza’s enduring love for Fermina Daza begins with a youthful, fleeting glance. He passionately pursues her, declaring his affections through poetry and ardent courtship. However, societal expectations and Fermina’s father’s objections create obstacles to their union. Forced apart, Florentino patiently waits for decades, maintaining his unwavering devotion, hoping for a chance to reignite their romance and finally be with the woman he loves.

On this page (9)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (3)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (2)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 The book behind the movie
  7. 7 Movie threads
  8. 8 Movies like Love in the Time of Cholera
  9. 9 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Love in the Time of Cholera (2007)

Where can you watch Love in the Time of Cholera? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

Streaming availability powered by JustWatch

3 main characters · contains spoilers

Love in the Time of Cholera Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Love in the Time of Cholera (2007), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Florentino Ariza (Javier Bardem)

    Florentino Ariza is an impassioned and romantic man whose love for Fermina Daza defines his existence. Throughout his tumultuous journey, he experiences profound sorrow and fleeting joys, shaping him into a complex character. His relentless pursuit of love reveals his vulnerabilities and determination, showcasing his growth across the years.

    • 💖 Passionate
    • 📝 Romantic
    • 🌪️ Resilient
  • Fermina Daza (Giovanna Mezzogiorno)

    Fermina Daza is a woman of beauty and strength, initially captivated by Florentino's affection. Her journey through societal constraints and a strained marriage illustrates her depth and complexity. Although married to Dr. Urbino, her lingering connection to Florentino highlights the theme of love that withstands the passage of time.

    • 🌹 Beautiful
    • 🧠 Strong
    • 🕊️ Torn
  • Dr. Juvenal Urbino (Benjamin Bratt)

    Dr. Juvenal Urbino emerges as a kind-hearted physician who provides comfort to Fermina yet embodies the quintessential 'nice guy' who unwittingly harbors discord in their marriage. His character represents societal expectations and the facade of a perfect life, as he struggles with the complexities of love and responsibility.

    • 🩺 Compassionate
    • 📚 Intellectual
    • ⚖️ Troubled

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:59

Was this helpful?

Setting

Where and When Does Love in the Time of Cholera Take Place?

The setting of Love in the Time of Cholera (2007): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

Late 19th Century

The late 19th century was a time of change and cultural richness, particularly in Latin America. It saw the rise of various social dynamics, as well as the intersection of love and societal expectations. This period encapsulates a blend of tradition and modernity, leaving a lasting impact on personal relationships.

Location

Cartagena

Cartagena, a vibrant coastal city in Colombia, is known for its rich history and stunning architecture. The late 19th-century setting highlights its significance as a major port, where tradition and fervor intertwine. The city presents a backdrop of lively streets and romantic landscapes, contributing to the passionate storyline.

  • 🌊 City
  • 🕰️ Historic

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:59

Was this helpful?

2 major themes

Love in the Time of Cholera Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Love in the Time of Cholera (2007) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Love & Longing

    The theme of love and longing permeates the narrative, illustrated through Florentino's unending devotion to Fermina despite the years apart. Their relationship navigates the complexities of desire and the pain of unfulfilled dreams. Florentino's journey epitomizes how love can endure and evolve over time, challenging life's obstacles.

  • Endurance

    Endurance is a central theme as Florentino remains steadfast in his love for Fermina throughout decades of loss and heartache. His commitment to document his romantic encounters reflects his quest for meaning amidst despair. The narrative emphasizes how personal perseverance shapes one’s destiny and emotional fulfillment.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:59

Was this helpful?

Character & theme questions

Love in the Time of Cholera Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Love in the Time of Cholera (2007): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where is Love in the Time of Cholera set?

The film is set in Cartagena, a vibrant coastal city in Colombia known for its rich history and stunning architecture. The late 19th-century setting highlights the city as a major port where tradition and passion intertwine, providing a romantic backdrop for the story's unfolding love drama.

  • cartagena
  • colombia
  • setting
  • location
  • caribbean coast
Q2

What time period does Love in the Time of Cholera take place in?

The story takes place during the late 19th century, a period of change and cultural richness in Latin America. This era saw the intersection of love and societal expectations, blending tradition and modernity in ways that deeply influenced personal relationships and social dynamics.

  • late 19th century
  • time period
  • historical setting
  • victorian era
Q3

What is the main theme of Love in the Time of Cholera?

The central theme is love and longing, illustrated through Florentino Ariza's unending devotion to Fermina Daza despite decades apart. Their relationship navigates the complexities of desire and the pain of unfulfilled dreams, showing how love can endure and evolve over time while challenging life's obstacles.

  • love
  • longing
  • devotion
  • romance
  • unrequited love
  • theme
Q4

What does endurance mean in Love in the Time of Cholera?

Endurance is a central theme as Florentino remains steadfast in his love for Fermina throughout decades of loss and heartache. His commitment to documenting his romantic encounters reflects his quest for meaning amidst despair, emphasizing how personal perseverance shapes one's destiny and emotional fulfillment.

  • endurance
  • perseverance
  • patience
  • devotion
  • decades
Q5

Who is Florentino Ariza?

Florentino Ariza is an impassioned and romantic man whose love for Fermina Daza defines his entire existence. His relentless pursuit of love reveals his vulnerabilities and determination, showcasing his growth across the years as he experiences profound sorrow and fleeting joys while waiting decades for a chance to be with her.

  • florentino ariza
  • javier bardem
  • main character
  • protagonist
  • lover
Q6

Who is Fermina Daza?

Fermina Daza is a woman of beauty and strength who becomes captivated by Florentino's affection in her youth. Though she eventually marries Dr. Juvenal Urbino, her lingering connection to Florentino highlights the theme of love that withstands the passage of time, illustrating her depth and complexity as she navigates societal constraints.

  • fermina daza
  • giovanna mezzogiorno
  • main character
  • female lead
  • love interest
Q7

Who is Dr. Juvenal Urbino?

Dr. Juvenal Urbino is a kind-hearted physician who marries Fermina Daza, providing her with comfort but inadvertently creating discord in their marriage. He represents societal expectations and the facade of a perfect life, struggling with the complexities of love and responsibility in his role as Fermina's husband.

  • dr juvenal urbino
  • benjamin bratt
  • husband
  • physician
  • society
Q8

How does the setting of Cartagena influence the story?

Cartagena serves as more than just a backdrop; its lively streets and romantic landscapes contribute directly to the passionate storyline. The city's historic significance as a major port creates an atmosphere where tradition and fervor intertwine, enhancing the film's exploration of love and societal expectations.

  • cartagena
  • colombia
  • setting
  • environment
  • atmosphere
Q9

What is the tone of Love in the Time of Cholera?

The film's tone is melancholic, defined by Florentino's quiet suffering and the passage of decades, though it stops short of being bleak due to Florentino's persistent hope. The story deals intensely with themes of rejection and patient suffering, creating an emotional weight that balances loss with the potential for renewal.

  • tone
  • melancholy
  • mood
  • atmosphere
  • emotional
Q10

How many years does Love in the Time of Cholera span?

The narrative spans over 50 years, following Florentino's lifelong obsession and unfulfilled longing for Fermina. This extended time frame allows the weight of time to build gradually, showcasing how personal perseverance and hope can endure across decades of waiting and heartache.

  • 50 years
  • decades
  • time span
  • narrative length
  • long term

Movie threads

More Movies Like Love in the Time of Cholera, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Love in the Time of Cholera tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about Lifelong Devotion like Love in the Time of Cholera

Stories of characters defined by a single, unwavering passion across decades. If you were captivated by Florentino's patient, lifelong love in 'Love in the Time of Cholera', explore more movies like it. This collection features similar romance and drama stories about enduring passion, obsessive devotion, and love that spans decades, perfect for viewers seeking emotionally heavy, slow-burn narratives.

  • obsessive
  • patient
  • devoted
  • yearning
  • nostalgic
  • melancholic
  • Tone: melancholic, passionate, nostalgic
  • Pacing: slow, deliberate, spanning decades
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow a linear progression across a long period, focusing on a protagonist whose life is shaped by an early, powerful passion—often romantic, but sometimes artistic or intellectual. The central conflict is the tension between this enduring inner devotion and the external realities of time, societal norms, and life's compromises.

Why they belong together: Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on a central theme of lifelong, patient, and often obsessive dedication. They create a similar mood of passionate yearning and melancholic reflection through a slow pace that emphasizes the passage of time and the heavy weight of a singular, defining love or goal.

Slow-Burn Melancholy Romance Movies like Love in the Time of Cholera

Romantic dramas where love is tempered by sadness and the slow passage of time. For fans of the reflective, sorrowful romance in 'Love in the Time of Cholera', this list finds similar movies with a slow pace and melancholic tone. Discover drama and romance films that explore enduring love, personal transformation, and marital discord with a heavy emotional weight and a patient, unfolding narrative.

  • melancholic
  • slow burn
  • yearning
  • reflective
  • bittersweet
  • passionate
  • Tone: melancholic, bittersweet, reflective
  • Pacing: slow, deliberate, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern involves a central romance that is complicated by external obstacles, internal emotional conflicts, or the simple, sad reality of time. The story unfolds gradually, prioritizing emotional depth and character reflection over dramatic plot twists, often leading to a mixed or bittersweet resolution that feels earned and authentic.

Why they belong together: These films share a specific combination of a slow pacing, a melancholic emotional tone, and a high romance score. The viewing experience is defined by a heavy, reflective mood that comes from stories where love is deeply felt but often intertwined with themes of loss, waiting, and the bittersweet nature of time.

If you liked this

Movies Like Love in the Time of Cholera

Similar movies to Love in the Time of Cholera: the same genre, themes or kind of story. Each one comes with its own plot summary, timeline and ending explained.

Browse all movie summaries

Every angle

Love in the Time of Cholera (2007) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Love in the Time of Cholera in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

Plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Catch up on any movie in minutes, save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private, always.

Learn more about the app