Choices. Fernando Meirelles’ new movie is entirely built over the choices the characters make and their consequences. It quickly makes us think about the responsibility we have over ourselves. Over how our lives look like right now. If it would have been different if we’d taken this or that path in our past… I always find myself having this kind of thought.
The characters are presented through a delicate cyclic parade of events. It runs through a bunch of languages, of intertwined (or not!) stories into a perfect choreography of beautifully edited images. I enjoyed the editing so much… At some points, two or three scenes are on screen at the same time. Each of them with its conflicts. I really liked that solution…
Representing Brazil we have Maria Flor and Juliano Cazarré (Adauto, I love you!) in amazing performances. I really enjoy when there’s an actual integration. They’re there, as an actual part of everything. Working as a fundamental piece. Never feeling like they don’t belong. Flor is on equal terms with Anthony Hopkins and Ben Foster. Amazing…
Btw, I need a whole paragraph just for Hopkins and Foster. What a spectacle… I went nuts with their work. There are so many scenes and moments I wanted to bring up, but I think I’d ruin the experience of those who haven’t watched it yet…
So, here’s my only suggestion… Go! And get ready to think again and again about choices. The future ones, since the past ones are not worth your energy. Another good lesson the movie brings: the good ol’ judgement. How judgemental we are and hence surprised by our own prejudice towards the characters. That’s another point worth bringing to real life…
Not always the good one succeeds and the bad one fails. Right and wrong are relative concepts… So many reflections…
I want to hear from you… And I end this piece with a quote by Laura, Maria Flor’s character:
“How many chances do we have? We oughta live…”
