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The beauty of the South American landscape and of Gael Garcia Bernal (Y Tu Mama Tambien, Bad Education) gives The Motorcycle Diaries a charisma that is decidedly apolitical. But this portrait of the young Che Guevara (later to become a militant revolutionary) is half buddy-movie, half social commentary--and while that may seem an unholy hybrid, under the guidance of Brazillian director Walter Salles (Central Station) the movie is quietly passionate. Guevara and his friend Alberto Granado (Rodrigo de la Serna, a lusty and engaging actor) set off from Buenos Aires, hoping to circumnavigate the continent on a leaky motorcycle. They end up travelling more by foot, hitchhiking, and raft, but their experience of the land and the people affects them profoundly. No movie could affect an audience the same way, but The Motorcycle Diaries gives a soulful glimpse of an awakening social conscience, and that's worth experiencing. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (92)

An Eloquent Whitewash
I saw this really cool movie about Charles Manson when he was a boy, riding a bike, helping people he met along the way, volunteering at a leper colony, charming the ladies, flashing that winning smile, etc. The movie may have glossed over his bitter racism and his intense homophobia a little bit, and it did go out of its way to paint Mr. Manson in a positive light. Had you not known the name, you might have thought he went on to be some kind of heroic figure or great humanitarian...not a mass murderer who enjoyed and savored his victims' pain or a delusional megalomaniac who equated wholesale slaughter with revolution. Gee, this movie deserves an oscar.

Oh, wait, did I say "Manson?" Sorry, I meant "Guevarra." Not that it matters. Different name, same exact meaning.

The Motorcycle Diaries is about a man who personally oversaw and took pleasure in dozens of mass executions in Cuba and Latin America (and ordered hundreds more). It's about a man who once personally and without trial executed a hungry child for stealing food. About a man who led bands of armed thugs into peaceful, isolated villages and killed any male who refused to join his "revolutionary army." Che founded Cuba's "labor camp" system-the system that was eventually employed to incarcerate (and often execute) gays, political opponents, religious clerics and AIDS victims. He lobbied Khrushchev and Castro to launch a first-strike nuclear attack on the US from Cuba. The "passion" that drove this man was ultimately not a passion for justice, but just a passion for killing. The fact that he committed all these unspeakable atrocities ostensibly to effect social change makes no difference: after all, so did Charles Manson.

Don't take my word for any of this. You can judge Che from his own hateful words: "To send men to the firing squad, judicial proof is unnecessary. These procedures are an archaic bourgeois detail. This is a revolution! And a revolutionary must become a cold killing machine motivated by pure hate."

If that's not enough, how about another Che gem: "Hatred as an element of struggle; unbending hatred for the enemy, which pushes a human being beyond his natural limitations, making him into an effective, violent, selective, and cold-blooded killing machine - this is what our soldiers must become."

Thousands of men and women have gone on life-affirming road trips as young men and had madcap misadventures, learning about the world and about themselves in the process. So let's face it: the only thing that sets Che's odyssey apart is that Che subsequently went on to become a "cold-blooded killing machine." Others have taken similar journeys and have dedicated themselves to ending world hunger or healing the sick. Why not make a movie about them? But should a man capable of saying AND LIVING BY Che's hateful words be admired, memorialized in cinema and t-shirts, and held up as a role model for those seeking justice? No more than Charles Manson should.

Save your money and your time and your dignity. Respect the dead.Watch something else.

A telling testimony of how an experience can shape your life
After I watched this movie, it left me wanting to know more about the rest of the life of the main characters.I actually wanted to read the original book by Che Guevara and the books by Alberto Granado and added those books to my wishlist.

This movie portrayed Che Guevara in a positive way even though through further discovery, he also had a negative side.The good, bad and the ugly that complicated individuals sometimes own, never mind regular individuals.However, I have had an interest in any kind of media (books or movies) that show the experiences of peoples lives that are different from my own.It really provides and enlightening perspective of what makes people tick.

Like a lot of typical college students the summer of their graduation in America who travel to Europe, Asia, etc. to seek fun and adventure, this offers a similar journey of 2 friends who journey through Latin America ultimately to work in a leper colony.The journey and experience with the people from different nations and cultures ultimately shapes the lead characters future endeavors, including Che Guevara becoming a revolutionary in Cuba.It gives great insight how a single experience can change the destiny of one's life.

It also is a great testimony how 2 friends who start out having common goals and aspirations can all of a sudden go their different ways.I could really relate to this experience, as I have also found this to be true in my own life.I give kudos to the writers of this film who wrote a very layered piece which could relate to individuals on many levels and the actors were on point in their portrayals.Robert Redford is the executive producer on this film and made a wonderful choice in taking on this film.A true tribute to his development and experiences with the Sundance Film Institute.

The most important thing the movie reflects is truth and self-realization.The truth that 2 friends wil be parting ways and what path each one will choose.One comfortable and safe, the other difficult and challenging. It was a truly human film that made me reflect on the choices of my life and what my life would have been had I made different choices.A true coming of age movie.

Smell of gasoline in the air..And is Pleasant !
I am an Indian who has little to no knowledge of what is cuban revolution or Chi or anyone for that matter. Neither do I know a word of Spanish and havehardly any Latin American friends.

Time and again couple of my Indian friends recommended to watch this movie..my curiosity increased when an online group (R2I club) which i visit had a mention of the movie as a great movie. Rented the movie and was absolutely thankful for the recommendation

The movie is fun, very interesting, breadthtaking views, nice theme , excellent subtitles and a perfect blend of everything that made amovie one of my favorites in the recent times. Other than few very subtle ( exploitation by mining company) socialistic touch, which appears very genuine...it is just a great movie...

First thing after watching the movie...went to google and typed in "Che" Guevara .

Wow hold on buddy
What che did is no different than any other political leader did. I mean what is up with that Vietnam thing?
I don't support communism, but the guy was intelligent and sure is one of these people that should be remembered in histoy!!
Viva la Revolucion!!!....=) j.kindding!

An Important Film
The Motorcycle Diaries is an important film for everyone to watch.Despite being called socialist propaganda, I believe this film gets could help cure Americans' misunderstanding of Latin America.

(Disclaimer: the points of view presented in the following paragraph are not necessarily mine, but rather an exploration into the ideology behind Latin American socialist movements.It is only meant to help critics of this film understand why Guevara is respected in Latin America, why most American presidents, with the exception of Jimmy Carter, are regarded as imperialists.)

The movie, for one, explains the roots of socialist ideology in Latin America.It shows the true reasons why millions of students and peasants marched (and still march) in the streets of Latin American cities demanding social justice.While it is true that Guevara had a role in establishing the current Cuban regime, dismissing his ideological roots as "bloodthirsty" and "communist" only widens the political gap in the Western Hemisphere.For those who wonder why the Latin American youth still wears Che, Allende, SubComandante MArcos, and Lenin T-shirts, it is important to understand the circumstances in which Latin Americans grow up.The region remains dominated by corrupt, wealthy capitalists who steal from the poor. While Americans continue to believe that socialism is evil and authoritarian, and while many note that Guevara justified killing political enemies, it is also important to understand that Latin America has suffered under the influence of some American presidents, who, during the Cold WAr, supported authoritarian upper-class rule.Thirty thousand died, in secret, in Argentina's dirty war with the support of Secretary of State Kissinger.Hundreds of thousands died in wars in Central America, most of which resulted in elite military regimes supported by the United States.Thousands have died at the hands of paramilitaries in Colombia, who are given virtual amnesty by Bush's ally, President Uribe. Fidel Castro is a romantic and an infinitely abusive leader, but, to Latin America, he is nothiing like Che Guevara.Che symbolizes not communism in Cuba, but a vision of justice and Utopia in Latin America which has yet to be achieved.

It is important for Americans who want to understand Latin America to watch this film.It will help those who have grown up in a rich, fair society to understand the anger behing Latin American socialism. ... Read more

Reviews (94)

A real story about a country called BRAZIL
Central Station was definitely the best brazilian movie I have ever seen in my life.
It seems to me that part of the jury who decided which film should win the best foreign film oscar the year it was nominated for the award, didn't really understand that the movie was related to a very significant period of the brazilian history, which was the mass migration of Northeasterns to the south-East brazilian cities during the seventies and eighties.
Despite the excellent job done by Walter Salles ( filmmaker ) as well as Fernanda Montenegro and the nine-year-old Vinicios de Oliveira, the very emotional and also sometimes very sad movie unfortunately was not clear enought to the world that it was not just a beautiful storie of a lady ( Dora ) who was returning a poor boy ( Josue ) to his father, but that it was describing part of the real life of hundreds of brazilian Northeasterns that moved to the cities of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo to escape from their extremely poor and dry homeland called SERTAO.
The modesty of Fernanda Montenegros role was definitely the highlight of the whole movie, which in my opinion was much more "down to earth" than Life is Beautiful or even Shakespeare in Love.

It has everything a perfect motion picture should have!
Congratulations to director Walter Salles and all that contributed to the production of Central Station (Central do Brasil), a masterpiece of Brazilian cinema and one of the best motion pictures ever produced in the cinematographic world! Central Station is a perfect motion picture: all the elements of the movie are perfectly integrated compounding a cinematographic production with inestimable quality, which reflects the professional talent of Walter Salles direction. By the way, talent is something that do not lack in Central Station: with an extremely emotive and original screenplay, extraordinary performances by the young actor Vinícius de Oliveira, and two of the best Brazilian actresses, Fernanda Montenegro and Marília Pêra, a wonderful dramatic score, and an spectacular cinematography, besides other high quality cinematographic elements, Central Station is a motion picture that portrays faithfully and with an humanitary reality the dramatic and touching journey of Dora and Josué to the heart of Brazil, and the life of millions of Brazilians!

Central Station is a motion picture that is an important chapter of the Brazilian cinematographic history for marking the top of the growth of Brazilian cinema and consolidating Brazil as a great source of cinematographic production. All the awards conquered and its international repercussion are merits that belongs to the quality of the movie and the spectacular work of all its cast and crew to turn it to a reality. Central Station is a cinematographic production that makes me feel proud to be Brazilian, a production that will always be a cinematographic masterpiece recognized not only in Brazil, but in the entire world!

Touching!!!A MUST watch!!!!!*
I feel it so warm and touched throughout the whole plot.I'd like to emphasize that Central Station is really a simple but DEEP movie!!I seldom watch road movie,and since watching Central Station,I have a completely new insight about it!!
Fate lead Dora (Fernanda Montenegro) & Josue (Vinicius de Oliveira) come together.You will find everything is so natural & Logical.
As for the pictures, I especially love the one when Josue look outside the train to search his home. The scenery is beatiful yet blurred(coz the railway is moving)! I guess it implys that he's searching for his blurred identity.
Moreover,I do think that Montenegro is the highlight of the movie. Her role is sometimes cynical but interesting, & sometimes touching & lovely too!
I highly recommend this movie!!!It reminds me "Love Actually is everywhere"!!~~*

Masterpiece
An emotionally spellbinding masterpiece is what we have here. Everything about this film adds up to give us a film that is beyond your average tear jerker, it is an unforgettable story about what it means to be human. It is about priorities, family and the concsiounce (sorry, I need spellcheck).
Get the plot gist from other reviewers, I'd just like to throw in my 2 cents and let all who care to read how wonderful this film is.

FORGET THE COMMENTARY
This film was purchased for a Brazilian studies class. The film is ruined by the commentaries throughout the entire movie. You cannot hear the lilting Brazilian Portuguese in the background. ... Read more

Description

An American photographer becomes enmeshed in the dangerous world of drug and arms dealing when a young prostitute he once photographed is found murdered. He can learn to defend himself - but there?s no defense from the the unexpected. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A photographer's quest for vengence....
....leads him to learn the art of knife-fighting.

I like this movie a lot, but be warned, there are only two action sequences involving the actual fighting technique, and, of course, the training sequences with Hermes (Tcheky Karyo).

FASCINATING FILM
This movie is about to become a cult favorite, due to the simple fact that it involves the art of knife fighting. Yes, believe it or not, there are knife-duelling fanatics out there that eat this stuff up with a fork (and knife...hah hah).

The knife training/fighting sequences involve less than one fourth of the movie. The rest of the film concerns itself with solving the murder of a hooker, a dwindling relationship by its two stars Peter Coyote and Amanda Pays, plus a bunch of unsightly low-life gangsters.

This movie lacks great acting, great direction and even great scenery. In fact, even though it was filmed in Rio De Janero, it failed to capitalize on such a splendid location. Outside of the too few knife/action sequences, this movie is just boring enough to lull you asleep.

Burned into my memory.
Star Wars (Episode 4,5,& 6), The Matrix, Above the Law, Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings. These are the movies that I remember. ....and Exposure. I couldn't follow the plot very well and there was some questionable acting and scripting, but I remember that I have rarely ever seen full speed fighting and the training leading up to it like in this film. It made me want to buy kevlar clothing and a gun.
I don't remember any details of the movie today, but I remember the impact it made on me.

REALITYS OF A KNIFE FIGHT
I ENJOYED THIS MOVIE VERY MUCH, EVEN THOUGH AT TIMES IT DID MOVE SLOW. FINNALY A MOVIE SHOWING THE REALITYS OF A KNIFE FIGHT, PEOPLE ALWAYS UNDERESTIMATE THE DANGER OF GOING UP AGAINST SOMEONE WITH A KNIFE, AND FINNALY THIS MOVIE SHOWS WHAT CAN HAPPEN WHEN YOU FACE SOMEONE WITH A KNIFE. I AM A STUDENT OF LAMECO ESKRIMA UNDER GURU FELIX VALENCIA, AND THE BOSTON SCHOOL OF ARNIS, UNDER PUNONG GURU GEORGE BREWSTER, AND COMPETED IN KNIFE FIGHTING TOURNAMENTS, AND KNIFE FIGHTS. ALSO THE BRAZILIAN MOB BOSS IN THE MOVIE WHO WAS CUTTING HIS INITIALS INTO THE WOMENS FACES WAS VERY BELIEVABLE, EVEN DOWN TO SHOWING HIS CUSTOM MADE KNIFE AND HOW HE WORE IT. THE MOST COMPLEX CHARACTER IN THE MOVIE WAS HERMES (CHEKY KARO) HE IS AN EXCELLENT ACTOR WHO WE HAVE SEEN IN A LOT MORE MOVIES LATELEY. HE ALSO WAS VERY BELIEVABLE IN HIS ROLE. THE MOVIE SHOWED A DARK PART OF LIFE THAT IS A REALITY, THAT SOME PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO RECOGNIZE.

Bad acting
This move had in my opinion some pretty bad actors.But very realistic knife fighting techniques. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

The Magic of Cinema Recreated!
FOREIGN LAND / Brazil-Portugal 1995
13 December 2003 The best part of this film is how much it surprises. It's a B&W film from Brazil and deflates expectation as it starts out almost like a student film - slow, awkward and seemingly uninteresting, with so much of gritty grain that it is initially annoying. Yet the change of pace and the transition into a gripping tale of innocence, love and adventure is so seamless, that only in the end do we realize what sheer cinematic delight we have been privy to.
• Mise-en-scene: Even though it was made in 1995, this film belongs to the highest traditions of 50s Film Noir. Though reminiscent of Welles' Touch of Evil in its narrative style, you've probably never seen a grittier tale, and feel for the characters and their innocence as the plot thickens and the feeling of foreboding grips you.
• The fact that the lead pair comprises unknown faces works for the film, and makes it believable. After all, the feeling of alienation and desperation is easier to ascribe to, to a nobody who has no-where to go.
• Foreign Land communicates a deep underlying political message to Brazilians who were migrating to Europe in the 1980s and the film does a successful job of portraying life outside of Brazil as mean-spirited and dangerous.
• The character development of the boy from struggling artist to bold young man is thoroughly convincing as is the unlikely romance between two desperate people in a strange land. I particularly enjoyed the change in pace of the narrative where it midway meanders off the beaten track and becomes a road-film.
• Cinematography: In the final analysis, the low-brow high chiaroscuro grainy photography works for the film and successfully builds a dark mood that establishes the feeling of evil lurking just around the corner in a foreign land.
• Sound design is effective in creating a nostalgic mood which begs us to ask the protagonists what on earth they are doing in a foreign land when they could have been safely tucked away in beloved Brazil.
I highly recommend this film to any lover of international cinema and particularly to those who feel inspired by gritty, small-time, content driven films with a powerful vision, that dare to challenge the goliaths of our filmmaking factories.

A work of art
"Foreign land" is a film that has made my mind in my late teenage years. The story is alright, but it impresses for the image and sound composition. First, the photography of Walter Carvalho, black&white, Bresson-style. Then, the music, "vapor barato", an anthem of the seventies in Brazil (and the song was not in the film, it became part of it when the director asked Torres - the character Alex - which song she considered important in her life. She was hearing Vapor Barato in her walkman). It's a moody film, and tells much more about the life of the characters (foreigners/expatried), who search for something beyond, than about politics. It's about people, not countries.

Awsome!
Brazilian movies can be real good, this one is not an exemption. Walter Salles and Daniela Thomas made an intelligent and exeptional movie. Just don't know why it was produced in black and white. Watch "Central Station" as well, you won't be disappointed. By the way: the song in the end of the movie is called "Vapor Barato" (cheap vapor) by Gal Costa.

sparse but beautiful
I checked this movie out on a whim yesterday from my local library. What a gem!...What i need to know is WHO IS THAT SINGING THE SONG AT THE END OF THE MOVIE???? I am desperate to know, because it is one of the most beautiful songs I have ever heard. Its impact, coming at the end of the film, is powerful...I was not able to discern who it was from the film's credits.
OBRIGADO!

hits home
This film is spectacular. The plot and theme take us from the economic and political realities of Brazil into Europe, which is one of the forefathers of middle-class. This symbolic return helps us discover what to be Brazilian is. Obviously, the film is much more nuanced. And for those Brazilians (and non-Europeans) who have lived in Europe the comprehension and enjoyment is unique.

The direction, art and sound are beautiful and enticing, which is to be expected of Salles jr., who well knows how to use scenes and actors on the big screen. Particularly, his landscape shots are breathtaking. Like in Behind the sun they are simple, expressive but not manipulative of the viewer.

Last but not least, the ending song an emotional catharsis, which is symbolicaly and artistically pertinent. Just the director's later film Central Station it is an integral part of the film.

if you haven't seen this yet, then you know what to buy/rent next! ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A time and a place and a cruel and barbaric code of honor
This 2001 Brazilian film is one of the saddest I've ever seen. It's set in 1910 in the cane fields of Brazil. There are two families who live on adjourning land who are part of a blood feud that has gone back so far in time that nobody remembers the details.

The story unfolds through the point of view of a 10-year old boy. He is the youngest of three sons. His oldest brother has been killed a month before and his bloodstained shirt is drying in the sun. Now that the blood has turned yellow, it is time to revenge his death. This task falls to his beloved 20-year old brother Tonio, who, after a heartbreaking chase, murders a son of the rival family.

Now, we all know that Tonio will be murdered just as his rival was murdered. And we know he, too, has a month to live while the bloody shirt of his opponent dries in the sun. A lot happens though during this month though. A traveling circus passes by and Tonio falls in love with a young fire-eating performer and wants to stop the cycle of violence.

The film was beautiful inasmuch as it captured a time and a place and a code of honor that seems cruel and barbaric. It also captured the human spirit of the people involved in this tragedy.

A darkly brooding vision of the timelessness of vengeance
The story in this film is simple: blood for blood feuding between two families in the backlands of Brazil. If left at that, this would be a conceptually boring movie, one done hundreds of times in various locations for varying Hollywood budgets. The glory of BEHIND THE SUN is in the presentation and transformation of a familiar precis into a visually stunning prolonged motion painting. Director Salles has assembled a cast of beautiful actors, minimized the Portuguese dialog so that the visuals may convey the text almost solo, and has added appropriations from other art forms to make this a memorable film. The only characters outside the feuding families are a traveling troupe of 'clowns' or a circus consisting of an older man and his senusously beautiful stepdaughter. This nod to the "I PAGLIACCI" opera invests intrigue and introduces the concept of the redeeming force of love into this otherwise blighted life story of a young man doomed to die for family honor. The photography is elegant, the acting is superb, the musical scoring is sensitively appropriate without drawing attention to itself. This is a very beautiful, very fine film.

The best camera shots ever!!!
As all movies from Walter Salles this one is great. What makes this one even better than his previous ones is the camera. You can hit pause anytime and you will see a great picture.
The movie shows a part of Brazil, the Sertão, which is completely unknown to most people, but has its own beauty.
The actors a re unknown ones, but they are great.

If you are interested in movies which are not typically (stupid) Hollywood you should definetly get it!
Great!!!

awesome
simply beatiful and wonderful. i wish all the movies were like this one. it is not complicated, it is not hollywood, different characters, no tom cruise or bradd pit...

you will be mesmerized.....believe me.

- otoniel

Ignorance and opportunity...
What kind of view could one expect from Behind the Sun? Perception is obviously distorted. From space, the sun is a hot fiery ball of yellow and red - an interesting contrast to the yellow globe that lights our day, and a unique use of symbolism in the movie. Sacrificing their children in the name of vengeance, the principle characters fight a losing battle for "honor." Honor that is the only remnant of a dying culture, and the only thing left that gives meaning to life.
The cycle of killing and vengeance is ultimately superceded - not by the principles alone, but by providence in the form of a visiting female circus performer. The performer offers vision, hope, and love to a pair of brothers doomed to a future of despair.
The major parts of the movie - acting, scenery, cinematography, all come together in a masterful way to augment an otherwise abstract story. In all, this piece represents an extraordinary work. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

A time and a place and a cruel and barbaric code of honor
This 2001 Brazilian film is one of the saddest I've ever seen. It's set in 1910 in the cane fields of Brazil. There are two families who live on adjourning land who are part of a blood feud that has gone back so far in time that nobody remembers the details.

The story unfolds through the point of view of a 10-year old boy. He is the youngest of three sons. His oldest brother has been killed a month before and his bloodstained shirt is drying in the sun. Now that the blood has turned yellow, it is time to revenge his death. This task falls to his beloved 20-year old brother Tonio, who, after a heartbreaking chase, murders a son of the rival family.

Now, we all know that Tonio will be murdered just as his rival was murdered. And we know he, too, has a month to live while the bloody shirt of his opponent dries in the sun. A lot happens though during this month though. A traveling circus passes by and Tonio falls in love with a young fire-eating performer and wants to stop the cycle of violence.

The film was beautiful inasmuch as it captured a time and a place and a code of honor that seems cruel and barbaric. It also captured the human spirit of the people involved in this tragedy.

A darkly brooding vision of the timelessness of vengeance
The story in this film is simple: blood for blood feuding between two families in the backlands of Brazil. If left at that, this would be a conceptually boring movie, one done hundreds of times in various locations for varying Hollywood budgets. The glory of BEHIND THE SUN is in the presentation and transformation of a familiar precis into a visually stunning prolonged motion painting. Director Salles has assembled a cast of beautiful actors, minimized the Portuguese dialog so that the visuals may convey the text almost solo, and has added appropriations from other art forms to make this a memorable film. The only characters outside the feuding families are a traveling troupe of 'clowns' or a circus consisting of an older man and his senusously beautiful stepdaughter. This nod to the "I PAGLIACCI" opera invests intrigue and introduces the concept of the redeeming force of love into this otherwise blighted life story of a young man doomed to die for family honor. The photography is elegant, the acting is superb, the musical scoring is sensitively appropriate without drawing attention to itself. This is a very beautiful, very fine film.

The best camera shots ever!!!
As all movies from Walter Salles this one is great. What makes this one even better than his previous ones is the camera. You can hit pause anytime and you will see a great picture.
The movie shows a part of Brazil, the Sertão, which is completely unknown to most people, but has its own beauty.
The actors a re unknown ones, but they are great.

If you are interested in movies which are not typically (stupid) Hollywood you should definetly get it!
Great!!!

awesome
simply beatiful and wonderful. i wish all the movies were like this one. it is not complicated, it is not hollywood, different characters, no tom cruise or bradd pit...

you will be mesmerized.....believe me.

- otoniel

Ignorance and opportunity...
What kind of view could one expect from Behind the Sun? Perception is obviously distorted. From space, the sun is a hot fiery ball of yellow and red - an interesting contrast to the yellow globe that lights our day, and a unique use of symbolism in the movie. Sacrificing their children in the name of vengeance, the principle characters fight a losing battle for "honor." Honor that is the only remnant of a dying culture, and the only thing left that gives meaning to life.
The cycle of killing and vengeance is ultimately superceded - not by the principles alone, but by providence in the form of a visiting female circus performer. The performer offers vision, hope, and love to a pair of brothers doomed to a future of despair.
The major parts of the movie - acting, scenery, cinematography, all come together in a masterful way to augment an otherwise abstract story. In all, this piece represents an extraordinary work. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Depressing
I bought this DVD because of its reviews and both my husband and I thought it was depressing. This movie was well done, but wasn't worth the trauma it inflicted.

It's Excellent, but too short.
I love this movie, ... The only shortcoming is: It's a bit short, only 72 min...Maybe it's because their high evaluations impressed me so deeply and give me some anticipation that I didn't think the film is short.
...I bought the DVD without a hesitation because "Midnight" is also directed by Walter Salles and all reviewers gave the movie their highest evaluation.
Yes, you will not feel disappointed about movies directed by Walter Salles. It's very hard for you to guess what will happen next in the movie. The movie is full of metaphors of the meaning of life... "Midnight" tells us that no matter how hard we struggled, we are not able to get rid of the shadow of paradoxy and desperation for future. It's quite interesting that the same director will express such different interpretations of life in his works.
Both "Central Station" and "Midnight" give me the feeling of heartache when I am seeing them. How I wish the story will never end and how I love such kind of soft hearache...

A brilliant masterpiece worth adding to your DVD collection
For those who have seen "Central Station", which won many awards throughout the world (including the USA), was nominated for the Oscar 2000 (best actress and best foreign film), and was directed by the same Walter Salles Jr - this other film, "Midnight", has little in common with "Central Station" - other than being very well made in terms of script, acting and photography. What is amazing is that "Midnight" is even better than "Central Station"!!! Many times better, in my view. It shows a different side of life in Brazil, a more lively, more violent one - and it grips the viewer like a magnet. And it's a slap on the face, that's for sure!!! To know more about "Midnight", please read the excellent review by Rebecca Calvetti, below. But remember: this is a masterpiece - and it's a very impactful one at that, even more so than "Central Station". It's definitely worth having on DVD.

Has all the subtlety and beauty of a skipped heartbeat....
.....And I mean that in a good way. *winks*

This film, this masterpiece, induced palpitations in me, butterflies in the stomach, in the throat, and in the heart. I can honestly say this is one of my favorite movies. Perhaps the favorite movie, at that.

It begins around 24 hours before January 1, 2000, set in the lives of two, three people, one of whom will not live to see the new millenium's dawning. The other two, a man, Joao, who has just escaped from prison, and a woman, Maria, whose lover has just abandoned her, will find themselves torn about and joined together and once more torn apart in an emotional powerhouse of a movie about death, love, hope, and desperation in a Brave New World not nearly as brave or new as we might think, or wish, it to be.

I remember when I saw it for the first time. Walking out of the theatre into the uncertainty of the night, I felt like I had died, had been reborn, and then had died again. It was an emotionally harrowing expirience, and yet I do not regret seeing it. And I recommend it to all of you, all of you children of this second Millenium.

If there ever was a must see, this is it.

Midnight in Rio
This film was though as a project of the channel of arts, it is shared by Daniela Thomas and Walter Salles (Central Station of Brazil) and it's a potentially intense movie with very well structured script. Three stories grow with parallelism, three people are expecting the eve of the next century in Rio. I loved Luis Vanconscelos in this movie. Besides, I think this movie has received some bitterness of others stories of jail in Brazilian cinema such as Pixote and The kiss of the spider woman. Enigmatic, almost apocalyptic!! ... Read more