A fine contemporary Brazilian western that doesn't go wrong even though it uses of many cliches from the genre and from that particular kind of story. Yet, it's the story
of a young woman (Cláudia Ohana) of brutish-male-centered behavior that wants revenge on a local baron (José de Abreu), responsible for the killing of her parents during a
territory dispute. After displaying some bravery on a rodeo kind of event she's hired by the man (who doesn't know her at all since she was a child when the killings happened)
and begins to work for him, getting to know all kinds of people from a dedicated fellow worker (Chico Diaz) who suffers on the hands of the boss sister, an arrogant woman (Luiza Falcão),
who becomes enemies of Luzia herself. The other surprise in her life comes in the form of the boss younger brother (Thales Pan Chacon), also a businessman but a more educated type
who falls for the mystery girl in town and soon things might change for them when he becomes involved with the poor locals who challenge the farmer's authority when it comes to
land appropriation.
Don't be fooled by the plot described in some places that mentions that Luzia is in fact disguised as a man because that never happens. She's so immersed in her revenge plan
that feelings aren't so placed in the foreground or so evident, that's why she acts pretty like a careless macho guy. But deep down she shows some affection to the mentioned
guys (specially the boss brother). And in between hard work and some exchanges here and there, a bloodshed alters the events of the town. There was a soap opera that used this
same device but the character actually was disguised as a man and a sort of "gay" relationship went through until the revelation came along. Doesn't happen in this movie.
Director Fábio Barreto was a master in telling such story that keeps teasing the audience in wanting to know how and when Luzia will get her revenge, and most of the film
are expressed through the dialogues of the powerful people between themselves or threatning workers (their own employees, mostly), as Luzia barely communicates with people - also
must be included a composer (Ednardo) who writes songs about her and deep down he knows exactly about her past. Ohana's performance is a very strong act and a quite rare instance
where she plays a heroine rather than the usual dark/twisted characters she was famous in many soap operas - one cannot forget the ruthless angel's face/demon behavior from
"A Próxima Vítima". It's a quite unique performance, and along with veteran Abreu and then newcomer Pan Chacon, they all deliver fine enjoyable performances.
"Luzia Homem" is a very patient work that takes some time to develop - after all, the violent opening impresses so much in a certain manner that you don't await for the
next shooting or killing all that much - so don't expect much thrills. It presents the characters, the situations of the smalltown and even Luzia's revenge end up getting on a
second plan as the fight over the land takes over to the point where the brothers will fight each other in some way. Lots of fun in between. 8/10.
