Pulsação Zero

I've seen films in Portuguese language made in Brazil but I think this is the first Portuguese film I've seen that is actually made in Portugal... And no doubt one of the most hypnotizing and exciting action comedies I've ever seen.

The story takes place on Christmas and centers on Alex, whose life has been a flood of misfortunes. Miserable, he decides to take his life. He drinks a toxic mixture and waits for it to take its effect... As the minutes pass, his life suddenly is turned upside down by a serious of events that give him a whole new reason to face the world. His new found strength is tested as he sets out on this crazy adventure in search of the only antidote that can save him.

Fernando Fragata's "Chasing Life" offers nearly 90 minutes of torture; but thankfully, of the good kind. Anyone can really sympathize with having an excruciatingly bad day, but Alex Ventura's (chimney cleaner) hell, is by far the funniest ever put on celluloid. This is a movie that almost physically hurts to watch. You get so drawn in to the situation that it feels like it's you stuck there. The movie keeps on balancing between funny and tragic, it never falls and the situations have enough realism to keep you on the edge of your seat. This is simply a story about a guy having the worst day of his life.

Rating: 9/10

Most Memorable Movie Moment: The stone hitting the car and pushing it down the cliff.