I was quite surprised with this one, in a very good way, since most of what the fantasy and 'what if' genre had already been told and it's usually
a worn-out kind of thing except for new audiences to come, but "Perdida" ("Lost") actually had some nice points to share, a somewhat new take and new presentation
of certain things despite the heavy load of cliches that most of us know from both romantic novels and fantasy themes. It's based on a best-selling novel (of
which I haven't read) so what attracted me to it was the fantastical themes and some names from the cast. Plot twist: it end up being an enjoyable, humored
film and one of those you actually have a good time.
It follows Sofia (Giovanna Grigio), a modern day independent woman, big fan of Jane Austen novels who wished her romantic life was exactly like
swooning over a noble, gentle Mr. Darcy type. But in the era of dating/hook-up apps and romance going to shreds, the dream is only real in the books, or
so she thinks until she gets transported to the 19th Century in a place that feels as a mixture of Brazil and England, and somehow racial diversity is
fully embraced (loved this, but a lot of people will get confused over this), and it's there she accidentally bumps into the young, handsome and respectable
Ian Clarke (Bruno Montaleone). The rest is up to you fill in the blanks as how the confusion grows between beings of different eras, different behaviors and
social costumes, and if there'll be some love going on.
Production vales were amazing, from costumes and art-direction to location (not sure where it was filmed those beautiful landscapes where Sofia and
Ian ride their horses), the package was well presented big time. And if one has to say there's some urgency to "Perdida" or at least an audience for it
are the ones who feel exactly like Sofia, living and facing an incredible technological era, and the ability to believe in love and marriage outside
of just a social contract; but the era we have lacks in human connection, real affection (as if the Austen period was totally that perfect). So, the film
makes an interesting comparison of period, the romance from the classic novels constrated with modern times and how those two could connect...if ever. With
those questionings, there's plenty of humor, the couple is very charming just as the secondary characters - Ian's sister (Nathália Falcão) was my favorite,
being enchanted with sunglasses and always helpful to Sofia.
However, as a story that throws some punches on cliches whether on fantasy, literature and real-life cliches, "Perdida" is almost lost on them for
plenty of time but it's one of those things that always attract the audiences who love those themes but it scares away those who feel worn out by repetitions.
It didn't bothered me much, and I managed to get surprised by a couple of things, and the conclusion felt quite fair to everything that was presented. Fiction
as a fiction, but sometimes there are touches that reach out reality. Living and learning. 7/10.
