Eu Te Amo

A marvellous film. Claustrophobic apartment and all. Braga and Paulo are brilliant. And the film 'is' about the celebration of life. Made during Braga's Brazilian heyday the film is somewhat known for it's explicit sex scenes. It was ahead of it's time considering whats being done as far as sex in films today. Some people may not have grasped this film but it's basically about two people who meet through some circumstances(exchanging phone nos. in a bar actually)and are undergoing a change in their lives. Braga's Maria/Monica masquerades as a hooker but she's not & has a degree in Art History. Paulo has lost his job in a brassiere factory after 37 years because his company sold out to the Americans. Sounds familiar to those of us in the U.S.! But I thought the dark almost undershot cine-photography was right on time & Braga is outstandingly beautiful even in dark photography. Finally the ending is as incongruent as it is wonderful. Braga & Paulo dance a musical duet ala Astaire & Rogers which as the credits roll out signifies the whole essence of this film. Life, despite it's ups & downs, is a celebration!

(**pluses in film: much action takes place in a real Rio apartment which seemed bigger than most peoples' houses. Dig that Proscenium like feature in Paulo's living room. Also great hand held camera shots as well as nice nighttime shots of Rio.)