As Melhores Coisas do Mundo (World's Greatest things) is set in the city of Sao Paulo and tells the story of a group of teenagers that are discovering the greatest and important things about life while they are growing up.
The main character (and narrator)is Hermano, or "Mano" to his friends. A 15 year old teenager (obviously) who is facing the most difficult period of his life after his parents decide to separate. This must be the abyss for anyone in such a young age. He shares this pain with his older brother Pedro (Fiuk, a pleasant surprise playing a very strong character full of despair).
Mano is a teenager like any other. He concerns about going to school, playing the guitar, parting with his friends and trying to score the most beautiful girl in school. He tries to keep his life normal even if his relationship with his parents is falling apart. His best friend is a female. Her name is Carol, a girl about his age who shares with him her feelings like being in love with her physics teacher(Caio Blat).
I am a big fan of Lais Bodansky's previous films "Bicho de Sete Cabecas"(Brainstorm) and "Chega de Saudade"(The Ballroom). I knew that she would do a decent work. What I really liked on her directing is that she used real teenagers on her cast and not 20 year old actors playing teenagers, like Larry Clark also did in Kids (1995). With the exception of Fiuk (who is now a music and TV teen idol in Brazil) the all cast is made by unknown actors.
I think this film is like a mix of Kids (1995), Juno (2007) and Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982), but that also doesn't mean that this movie is not original.
This movie exposes so many subjects such as teenage sex, drugs, suicide, homosexuality, brotherhood, parenthood, friendship, love, innocence, secrets, music and the most amazing thing that I thought that was really fascinating that Lais captured here is how the evolution of technology affects the lives of us.
It's impossible to not identify yourself after watching this film, to not have a nostalgic feeling for those who went through this age or for the ones who are going through right now. You are gonna laugh and cry at the same time, but you are gonna leave the theater with a big smile.
Thank you Lais for making us proud. You proved that we don't need to show violence or nudity to do a great and beautiful film that I will never forget.
