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Reviews
Treze Cadeiras (1957)
Funny movie
The story was made by Russian writers Ilya Ilf and Yevgeni Petrov. "Treze cadeiras" or Thirteen chairs is one version of the story "Dvenadtsat stulyev". The German director Franz Eichhorn has created very interesting situations. Bonifacio Boaventura, a barber from a small town, looks for the inheritance left by his aunt Barbara in Rio de Janeiro. Instead of money or any valuable legacy, he receives only thirteen chairs. The movie is about what happened to these chairs. Three big actors of Brazilian movies of 50's, Oscarito, Ze Trindade and Renata Fronzi have made a nice job and act very well.
There are several versions of this funny novel. The first was made in Czechoslovakia and Poland in 1933, "Dvanáct kresel". In 1938, a new version, "13 Stühle", by Austrian director E.W. Emo. In 1945 it was made an American version called "It's in the Bag!". In 1954, a Swedish edition: "Sju svarta be-hå", by Gösta Bernhard.
In 1962, four years after "Treze cadeiras", the Cuban director made "Las Doce sillas". In 1970, a Mel Brooks' version called "The twelve chairs". Finally, the "12 stulyev" by Russian director Leonid Gaidai, which is considered the best version made until today.
"Treze cadeiras" is also relevant because reveals the pure humor of Brazilian movies of the 50's.
The Heartbreak Kid (2007)
I am sorry, Ben
Certainly the screenplay has made this movie so bad. The cast is excellent, but the story is awful. I am fan of Ben Stiller's movies. Despite of it, "Heartbreak" is nothing if compared with other Stiller's masterpieces.
Probably the screenplay has been adjusted while the movie was being made.
Until the first half, the story flows well, but it looses its way and disappear in the end. Planning is very important, so it is necessary to pay attention on it. Maybe Ben didn't realize it; but he will pay attention now, I am sure.
Hope to see the Ben we all know very well.
Amor & Cia (1998)
Very well directed
Amor & Cia (could be Love & Co.) is an excellent movie, considering actors, script, clothes, sceneries and places. Mainly the filming locations are fantastic, because old parts of Sao Joao del Rei and Tiradentes, historical Brazilian towns, are shown as if they were in XIX century. And they are very well conserved. The music is also another important aspect, directed by Tavinho Moura. I consider "Amor & Cia." a model for film makers, specially directors. Like in a class, Helvecio Ratton conducts all scenes magically. Each movie creates its own space and capacity to entertain. This depends on who see it. "Amor & Cia." occupies a place reserved to a kind of life which is no more found these days: tenderness, innocence and an old peaceful world to live.
Caixa Dois (2007)
LIght and very funny
If you look for a movie which is light and can make you laugh a lot, "Caixa Dois" is a good choice. It is very well elaborated, the casting is excellent and the story flows quickly and we don't feel the time passing. It is based on a play of a great Brazilian actor and writer Juca de Oliveira. Juca has a long experience on theater playing and also TV novels. The story is interesting and deals with the problem of corruption in all levels of the society. But speaks in a funny way so that we can see it until the end which arrives quickly because it hold us all the time. For me, it is the best Bruno Barreto's film since "O Que É Isso, Companheiro". Brazilian films must also be like "Caixa Dois" and not only show the poverty and misery of the people or deal only with surrealistic themes. "Caixa Dois" is a film to get a message, to delight and to make believe that movies are this: something also for fun, not only for to be subject of long philosophical discussions. My note is ten.