Durval Discos

Durval Discos directed by Anna Muylaert is a film for those viewers who let a film to progress at its own rhythm. Although it is about a young girl,it cannot be termed as a children's film although it can be shown to young children, teenagers and youngsters.It is certainly not at all meant for non serious viewers more interested in Michael Schumacher kind of start. If ordinary viewers remain patient they will be suitably rewarded as there are numerous twists and turns related to this film's plot. One more good thing about this film is that it will surely dispel the notion that most of the films made in Brazil are violent films. Those who have seen "Alice in the cities" by Wim Wenders will be quick to recognize the common similarities related to both the films.This film is little different from the German film as in it the suspense builds slowly to ultimately result in an amazing finale. Like Rudiger Vogler in Wender's film, Ary Franca too gives a memorable performance as Durval. With "Durval Discos", admirers of Vinyl or LP or 33 tours will surely get a taste of the nostalgia for the past.

I'm not a big fan of the Brazilian movie industry, and I rarely watch a national movie. Even more rarely I like it. But, with this movie, everything was different. Instead of saying why the movie is good and why you should watch it, I'll just describe what I felt while I watched it.

The movie started, we meet the characters, and I thought that Etty Fraser(Carmita) was terrible in acting. But, I continued watching the movie because several friends said good stuff about it.

The movie continues, and I still can't see anything special about it. It isn't bad, but it also isn't good, except for a few jokes. That's when reality seems to collapse in the movie. I find out that Etty Fraser was the best actress to play Carmita, and all sorts of bizarre stuff happen.

By the end of the movie, which wasn't the least exciting at first, I was in awe. One of the best movies I've ever seen. I felt myself forced to buy the DVD and support the creators of this movie. I felt myself forced to register here, rate it, and comment(since apparently all comments are either neutral or negative. Don't trust those). This movie didn't get the success it deserved unfortunately.

The plot is a simple story which develops into a bizarre tragic-comedy. For all lovers of Brazilian music, this film is a great opportunity to (re)listen some unforgettable classics of the late 60s and early 70s. The ones used to Brazilian TV will recognize comedy actresses like veteran Etty Fraser and humor star Marisa Orth. Brazil´s rock queen, Rita Lee, also appears paying a tribute to MPB, Brazil´s valuable contribution to the international music scenario.

The movie was shot in 2002 trying to create a bound with the scenario of 1995, Brazil, São Paulo - Pinheiros. At the beginning, this movie shows a sequence that exposes the production crew relation with the local neighbourhood, exhibiting the cast titles in medias that are very particular from that neighbourhood (street signs, restaurant menus, publicity places that are very faithful with that brazilian context time). The context is built on the transition of the LP's to Cd's as a media for music consumption, but the strong part of the film is built on characters and the environment itself. Some people may say that the movie goes to this "nosense" direction, but It makes a lot of sense with you take it from the characters point of view. Nowadays people may expect that every character on movies should take the most rational decision, as if they were thinking as you think (that is actually one of the main issues regarding movie critics). The piece starts showing the environment of that particular place and time, creating gaps (indications) for the spectator to dive in that context and get empathy with characters displayed on the movie. The scrip is very peculiar and consistent, if you look deeply you will see the retrospective of a lot of terms (speak lines) and visuals. The soundtrack is really amusing and reaches a variety of songs that nowadays are taken as Brazilian classics (All "gringos" (foreigners) that have come to são paulo and have gone to real cultural places have heard at least a half of that soundtracks ). - yep they are really good songs even that I have never heard them live. And thats the beauty of internet, you are able to create your own listening experience without ever knowing the real characters at that specific time.

I'm really Sorry for the bad english, I just felt very indignant with the first review about this film that was displayed at my IMDB timeline from Claudio Carvalho18 - June 2004, witch was a shallow review. That motivated me on writing these words. This movie should really get way more than 6.9.

This movie is a must see. At the beginning you think it will be like a regular one, but as it develops it gets really spectacular. It is funny and sad at the same time. The main character (Durval) is one of a kind. His mother is too. Some parts are so funny that you will laugh a lot.I did. And I am not a person that uses to laugh for no reason. For me, to laugh, something has to be REALLY funny. And this movie IS. But some others parts are SAD. But not so sad. So, be cool. No need for too much tears. The songs played are very good ones. The story is very well elaborated. Out of the box. Something you would never guess. Don't miss it if you have a chance to watch it. For a Brazilian film I give it a 10.