It's quite a pity seeing a good premise being thrown in the wind because a script takes all the wrong turns to deliver a story with a purpose. As a wise
mind said, movies aren't so much about WHAT it is about but it's more about HOW it is about. There's nothing new about movies dealing with break-up's and broken hearts,
so every now and then comes something for us to reflect, learn, maybe have some fun or enlightnement. Fine. The elements one uses to create situations and characters
is what makes us interested, at least feel there is some originality that other films haven't touched yet or best case scenario a writer can come up with a
monster of the genre and create a classic from "copying" around. This movie is quite good but it's so up and down as a comedy that it doesn't sustain itself
as such and for too long. I was waiting for the ending because I could picture an easy solution to the main character's problems. First time writing and directing
a feature film Pedro Coutinho disappoints thanks to a fusion of elements on a nice premise cheaply concerned in generate easy laughter instead of being the
serious romantic drama it could be. I was bothered through most of the time because of two reasons: lack of reality and depth in almost every topic that it dealt;
and the inevitable similarities with "(500) Days of Summer". It's so on the nose but it never achieves the greatness of that fun and thoughtful movie - say what you
want about Marc Webb's film (also a first timer as a writer/director), one does learn about the dynamics of a relationship that goes beyond the superficial.
"Todas as Razões Para Esquecer" is not all that faulty. Johnny Massaro is very impressive as Antonio, a young guy who loses control of his life after being dumped by
his girlfriend. He can't stop thinking about her and tries to understand why their relationship ended after two perfect years together. And with such hard thinking
Antonio goes through a serious of painful and slightly amusing situations, from seeking a therapist (Regina Braga, hilarious and effective) who helps him cope
with his life difficulties on emotional matters; his cousin who goes through a complicated marriage; a friendly gay neighbour; and his soon-to-be writer friend.
Presricpted drugs, alcohol, dating apps and parties are all there to make him forget, maybe not feel. Possible? You know how it goes.
Why I almost got conquered with this film? Massaro and his lost puppy expressions is adorable, convincibly sad and funny at the same time. You feel his character
fragility, understand his flaws and intentions despite being completely erratic at times, almost to a crazy extent. His delivery of lines is amazingly great -
the best line appears in the film trailer, delivered on a rapid fire style. As for the story there was inspired moments when
Mr. Coutinho didn't felt for heavily used cliches from similar films. An interesting example: despite the equation of loneliness and horniness hit Antonio really
bad he's not the kind of guy who's falling for the easy way out to find sex, or getting on an instant as Hollywood guys do in a heartbeat. They're all good-looking,
well-adjusted in everything, sex comes and goes but love is something else. Hold on, we're getting near
on why the film failed with me, it's all on layers. The gay neighbour was a plus too because it's done on a whole new level where he becomes friends with Antonio
without seducing the guy or feel some attraction to him, despite many things going on his favor (their first interaction was awfully cringeworth, fiction or
not I could not believe their whole exchange in the hallway).
I got bothered when I started to figure out why Antonio loved that girl so much? The script makes of her such a nasty and cold character when their moments
together aren't brifely presented through flashbacks that I couldn't figure out the man's obsession for her. With Summer in "(500) Days" I understood the
reasoning even if falling for the men-centric Tom's ideals, she's a mystery you like to decipher; the girl in this one has nothing. For those who haven't seen
that movie the experience of seeing this would be less painful but never totally satisfying, it's too shallow for that. And how in the world a movie can get
away with making fun of anxiety and depression medicine? There's a lot more problems and awkward things but I'll stop here.
By treating to inject far too reasoning (movie and main character) the film revealed as being immature, weak, simplistic and heavily built on cliches about
relationships, expectations versus reality but none of those felt real enough, comic enough or painful enough. Everybody here had it all too easy. Pain is
necessary, suffering is optional; learning through is important but teaching is far more noble to others. This film can't teach you for the challenges of life
and dealing with relationships but it can teach you what to avoid when making a movie: massive use of cliches that don't work well together.
"Todas as Razões Para Esquecer" (a better title could be picked for this film
since those who'll dislike the movie will make puns about it - translates as "All the Reasons to Forget"). 5/10
