Balas&Bolinhos is one of those movies that it's great to watch when you've got nothing better to do... in this case, for about an hour. The movie is fun, well thought out, but its main problem is that it could be done in about half the time and tell the same story. The characters make rambling after rambling, which, although really funny (especially if you know Portuguese society) don't add much to the story. It does have a lot of swearing, no doubt, but I felt it was more part of the characters' characterizations and not really an attempt to be funny. Great highlights in the movie include the junkie Bino (very funny, in spite of not saying much more than "Yo!") and the Pulp Fiction parody near the end.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Life Is a Miracle
(2004)
Masterpiece? No. Kusturica? Definitely.
22 October 2004
Well, I saw this one today and I quite enjoyed it. It's "more of the same", no doubt about it, but, in this case, more is good. The story is pretty simple and has been explained to death, so I will refrain from telling it, but I'd like to confirm: yes, it has everything. Donkeys, railroads, the war, geese, midgets and music. The impossible love in the rough backdrop. Everything that is so dear to Kusturica appears in this film. It's not a masterpiece, it's pretty below Black Cat, White Car or Arizona Dream (his two masterpieces, IMHO), but it's an enjoyable film and one that will endure in your minds.
8/10
8/10
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