Aquarius
Reviews
Reno
**Home is where all the memories preserved.** I have to start the review by mentioning the recent year Russian film 'Durak', also known as 'The Fool' in English. In the same year, another similar themed Russian film, 'Leviathan' got nominated for the Oscars. What those both films highlighted were not just the corruptions, but the threats the common people face. Raising voice for good against evil is still a distant for such potential country. Here comes the Brazilian version. This is not on the same level. I meant the intensity of the event, how all folds. Nevertheless, the same core issue in a different continent. This film met with several controversies. One of them omitted it from the Oscars race. But the film was received well from all the quarters. I did not find any issue. I thought it became unfortunate victim, especially, could be because of the developers and their connection with the corrupt powerful men. It's neither a masterpiece. I just consider it a good film. A message film. But not for everyone. Particularly, it is good for grownups viewing for the reason I'll going mention later. The story of the 65 year old Clara. Her life has been successful being a music critic. Now a widow, and all her children settled down. It opened on her birthday where all the friends and family gathered to celebrate the occasion. Living alone in a small and beautiful beach view apartment. But the thing is she's the last one who still in that old building. Everyone had left it when the developers decided to demolish it and build a modern one. She's fighting to save the heritage. All her memories lie in there. But the developers have a different plan to force her out, and that's the remaining film to unfold how and other following developments. > ❝So when you like it, it's 'vintage'. If you don't like it, it's 'old'. Right?❞ The opening scene was a slight offbeat. Because right away it does not reveal who is the person of the film. Besides, some of the odd scenes in the middle would raise some eyebrows. Those were not actually the full fledged scenes, but glimpses that goes back to like the 70s or something. The idea of those parts were not properly understandable, but I think it is about missing those good times. The lone fighter concept was inspiring. At one point, when everybody around her thought that she's making an unnecessary scene out of it, she was firm on her decision and did what has to be done. This was one of those films I did not like it on the spot. But slowly captivated. Once it's focus was fixed on one particular character, the rest of the tale set forward on what it wanted to tell us. As I understood it, it was not exactly about corruption, except a part of it was. It was the fight for ones right. A fight to save the past. On the other hand, the people from her opposite are ready to take extreme steps to defeat her. That's where it gets into the controversy. The controversy of those stupid tricks used to achieve the goal. This kind of a film coming from Brasil is really wonderful to educate poor knowledge people who easily become victims in a similar fashion. It was a French-Brasil collaboration film. I'm reviewing it after a couple of days of my watch. Because I wanted to think about it for a while, scene by scene. The more I recall, the more I'm starting to like it. So I advise same to you as well that don't come to any conclusion just after you have watched. Because it could not be what you have heard about it. My only issue was the runtime. The 150 minutes were a too long. But manageable if you watch regularly, such slow films. Well written, directed and acted. Even the location was ideal. But they could have avoided the those sex scenes which I earlier labelled them as odd scenes. There were too many, even camera pans out from somewhere far away in the bush. Kind of unrelated. I am not against such an idea, as human daily life filled with those. But when the theme was seriously pivoting on a serious issue, these came as distraction. Why I'm pointing out that strongly is that a fine film like this should be for all ages, even for teenagers. It missed that opportunity. Otherwise and still a nice drama film to recommend the adults. _7/10_
Movie Recommendation
Neighboring Sounds2012-11-19An independent private security firm arrives at a middle-class neighborhood in Recife, Brazil.More...
The Violin Teacher2015-11-14After failing to be admitted into the OSESP Orchestra, a talented violinist is forced to give music classes to teenagers in a public school. He soon finds his world transformed by the power of music and friendships formed with his pupils.More...
Afonso Padilha: Classless2020-09-03Brazilian comedian Afonso Padilha dives into his humble beginnings and digs out hilarious stories about his childhood in this very personal set.More...
Zurück aufs Eis2022-11-18Divorced policewoman Maren and her daughter Amelie live together in Bad Tölz and are a close-knit team. Not just mother and daughter, but best friends. But then Amelie starts to study, falls head over heels in love with her fellow student Erik and moves in with him in a shared student flat in Munich. Without Amelie, Maren not only feels very alone in the apartment, but also in life. She has to realize that she has been hiding behind Amelie for the last eight years after the divorce and hasn't had a life of her own. So she slowly goes "back on the ice". On the uncertain, slippery and sometimes painful ice that is called "life".More...
She's Lost Control2014-02-09Ronah's life unravels when she starts working with a new client, Johnny.More...
Mimosas2016-08-24A dying Sheikh travels across the Moroccan Atlas in a caravan escorted by two rogues.More...
Alyonka1962-03-22Set in 1955 when many migrated from Russia to the Steppes of Kazakhstan, this is the trip back to the Canal from the frontier and farms by a number of people who tell their settler stories. Alenka Muratova (Ovodova) is a winsome 13 year old who talks Dmitry Prokovich, the chief mechanic for the Soviet, into giving up his seat in the truck to a young mother with her infant daughter. Then Alenka and Dmitry share the back of the open truck with a young woman, newly graduated dentist who has not been able to find a position, Stefan, a hitchhiker with a dog who hopes his upper-class wife will return to him and the countryside, and Vasselina Petrovolka, a woman who lost one of her twin daughters in a riding accident by the river shortly after they arrived, and now is returning to tell the other twin of her sister's fate. A warm hearted look at common folks traveling in the frontier.More...
Tie and Red Nail2014-03-01Several characters realize their personal way to build their own identity from the choice of genre. Transsexual, transgender, crossdressing – the defining of terminologies different ways of looking at yourself are constantly rising, portraying a universe of possibilities, expanding the boundaries of the possible and permitted.More...
Yesterday There Were Strange Things in the Sky2020-01-28The daily life of a family in which countless factors are disturbing: the father is unemployed, the members need to move house, the mother is abducted, and life continues as if nothing had happened.More...
Leviatã1999-12-02There is no descriptionMore...
Neon Bull2016-01-14Iremar works at the rodeo in North East of Brazil. From his home, the truck he uses to transport the animals, he dreams of a future in the region's booming clothing industry.More...
Bye Bye Brazil1980-02-08The Caravana Rolidei rolls into town with the Gypsy Lord at the mike: he does magic tricks, the erotic Salomé dances, and the mute Swallow performs feats of strength. A young accordion player is completely enamored of Salomé, and he begs to come along. The Gypsy Lord shrugs, and the accordionist and his pregnant wife, Dasdô, join the troupe.More...
Nonfilm2002-05-06A young actor suddenly wakes up in the middle of the shooting of a movie he doesn't understand.More...
Yossi & Jagger2002-08-28A sociological study of two men in the Israeli army who are lovers. The others in the unit react to their situation, suspecting, but not always understanding. One will leave the military soon, a few months away, as a snowy and desolate outpost is guarded from attack.More...
The Left Handed Gun1958-04-30When a crooked sheriff murders his employer, William "Billy the Kid" Bonney decides to avenge the death by killing the man responsible, throwing the lives of everyone around him into turmoil, and endangering the General Amnesty set up by Governor Wallace to bring peace to the New Mexico Territory.More...
The Together Project2016-06-29Samir, a lanky crane operator in Montreuil, falls madly for Agathe. As master swimmer at the pool Thorez he decides to take swimming lessons with her. But the lie does not last three lessons - Agathe hate liars. Chosen to represent the Seine-Saint-Denis, Agathe flies to Iceland for the 10th Congress of the International Masters Swimming. Samir has no choice but to fly in turn also.More...
Extremis2016-04-17A purely observational non-fiction film that takes viewers into the ethically murky world of end-of-life decision making in a public hospital.More...
Caramuru: Brazil Reinvented2001-11-09Diogo Álvares, a Portuguese map illustrator, reaches the Brazilian coast, after his caravel sinks. He is saved by the Indian chief Itaparica and his two daughters, Paraguaçu and Moema. They call him Caramuru and together they engage in a happy love triangle. But the chance to return to Portugal arises, and it is clear this amoral arrangement cannot last.More...
My Uncle Killed a Guy2004-12-12Éder is arrested after confessing the murder of a man. Duca, his nephew, is sure that his uncle confessed the crime to protect his girlfriend, Soraya, ex-wife of the deceased, so he enlists two of his friends to help prove his theory.More...
The Secret of the Grain2007-12-12In southern France, a Franco-Arabic shipyard worker along with his partner's daughter pursues his dream of opening a restaurant.More...
Similar Movies
Getulio
2014-05-01The movie depicts the political crisis that led to the suicide of president Getúlio Vargas, in the 19 days that preceded August 24, 1954. The crisis began with the attempted assassination of journalist and politician Carlos Lacerda in August 5, 1954, at rua Toneleros, Rio de Janeiro, in which Major Vaz was assassinated instead. Investigations pointed to Gregório Fortunato, chief of Vargas' personal guard, as the orderer of the frustrated assassination. This incident was one of the most importants in the history of Brazil.Carandiru
2003-03-21When a doctor decides to carry out an AIDS prevention program inside Latin America’s largest prison: the Casa de Detenção de São Paulo - Carandiru, he meets the future victims of one of the darkest days in Brazilian History when the State of São Paulo’s Military Police, with the excuse for law enforcement, shot to death 111 people. Based on real facts and on the book written by Dráuzio Varella.Attire
2018-06-20After going through a hiring process for a company based on São Paulo, Daniel, that came from another city, now needs to deliver them some important documents. However, he is blocked from the entrance because he is wearing shorts.O Crime da Gávea
2017-03-09Paulo (Ricardo Duque), a film editor, arrives at home and find his wife murdered. While the police investigates the crime, Paulo begin his own quest to find the criminal.City of Men
2007-08-31Best buddies Acerola and Laranjinha, about to turn 18, discover things about their missing fathers' pasts which will shatter their solid friendship, in the middle of a war between rival drug gangs from Rio's favelas.Elite Squad
2007-10-12In 1997, before the visit of the pope to Rio de Janeiro, Captain Nascimento from BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion) is assigned to eliminate the risks of the drug dealers in a dangerous slum nearby where the pope intends to be lodged.The Year My Parents W...
2006-09-26A boy is left alone in a Jewish neighborhood in the year of 1970, where both world cup and dictatorship happen in Brazil.Real: The Plan Behind...
2017-05-18In May 1993, Brazil experienced one of the worst economic crises in its history. The government then decides to set up a real task force to solve the problem. Confined to a bunker as a way of shielding the operations of growing political pressures, the special economic team will have to do its best to reach agreement and create the Plano Real.Birdwatchers
2008-08-31Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, the present. When a young Guarani-Kaiowá woman commits suicide, Nádio leads his community to form a protest camp on the borders of a local farm that sits on their ancestral burial ground.The Motorcycle Diarie...
2004-02-06Based on the journals of Che Guevara, leader of the Cuban Revolution. In his memoirs, Guevara recounts adventures he and best friend Alberto Granado had while crossing South America by motorcycle in the early 1950s.Fica Comigo
1998-02-13There is no descriptionEu Te Levo
2017-03-23Rogério is a quiet guy who loves rock and lives with his mother in the countryside of São Paulo. His father died a few days ago, leaving a business to run and creating in his son a need, postponed for years, to decide what to do with his life. Rogério needs to declare a belated independence and, paralyzed by the idea of taking on responsibilities, he reclaims a childhood dream.Bad Honey
2022-06-30At the beginning of the 20th century, a German household attempts to stay isolated from their new surroundings, in the south of Brazil. Their fear, however, sets the way for conflict.Four Days in Septembe...
1997-10-01Fernando, a journalist, and his friend César join terrorist group MR8 in order to fight Brazilian dictatorial regime during the late sixties. César, however, is wounded and captured during a bank hold up. Fernando then decides to kidnap the American ambassador in Brazil and ask for the release of fifteen political prisoners in exchange for his life.The History of Eterni...
2014-07-26In a small village in the hinterland, three stories of love and desire are changing the emotional landscape of its residents. Characters of a romanesque world in which their conceptions of life are limited on one side by human instincts, on the other by a blind and fatalist fate.Clenched Fists
2014-08-10In Fortaleza, Brazil, Eugenio, Joaquim and João use a clandestine radio to scream their hunger for freedom and revolution. They hack the traditional radio stations, overwhelming them with poetry, rebel music, quotes, sound archives and provocations, attacking the bourgeois and capitalistic society. But one day, Salomé, a mysterious and beautiful listener, crashes into their lives, transforming their destiny.Time of Fear
2009-10-02Year 2006. There are riots in São Paulo. In the middle of the violent situation, widow Lucia is trying to get her young son Rafael from prison.The Story of Me
2009-08-07Based on the life of Roberto Carlos Ramos, a Brazilian teacher and storyteller brought up in a state educational institution for poor children.My Name Ain't Johnny
2008-01-04The true story of João Guilherme Estrella ("Johnny"), a young middle-class bon vivant who became a big-time cocaine dealer in Rio de Janeiro in the early 1990s.Last Stop 174
2008-10-24Sandro was a boy who loved to sing rap, to kiss, to stare the statue of Christ the Redeemer and dreamed to go visit Copacabana. Growing up on streets, the story culminates at the infamous episode of 12th June 2000, when Sandro hijacked bus 174.