O Lobo Atrás da Porta

Like the beginning of a love affair this movie starts light on its toes and superficial lulling you into thinking you're just going to get a slice of life kind of Brazilian romantic comedy but looks can be deceiving. Soon enough surfaces start to crack and there's no mistake you're watching naked, raw egos in mortal combat of the highest order. Ordinary people can be spectacularly duplicitous and damaging to themselves and those in their orbit, throwing their emotionally eviscerating punches with operatic gusto. It's not over till the fat lady sings and by the time she does you're watching a horror movie ripped from real life headlines.

The debut feature film by Fernando Coimbra is well developped in the level of perfection, in both the funny and in the terribly harsh moments. The script not only unveils the occurence but also explores well the different versions narrated by the characters, and the traits of each of them. Cinematography and art direction beautifully portray Rio the Janeiro lower class suburbs, a town which is different from the one in touristic post cards. Dialogues are extremely well written, and if someone wants to know what to expect to find in a police station in Rio the Janeiro, the lines perfectly played by Juliano Cazarré are exemplary. Indeed, the film brings a stellar casting which provides top level performances. Leandra Leal is no less than perfect in the leading role, exhibitting her astonishing skills which allow her either have an overhelming presence in the whole scene or be incredibly subtle and realistic. Her sex scenes with Milhem Cortaz are indeed among the most organic and realistic I have ever seen in a film. Besides Leal, Cortaz and Cazarré, the extraordinary casting also included Fabiula Nascimento, Thalita Carauta, and Karine Teles, among others. I will not add any further comment about the story because I think the less spectator knows previously, the more (s)he will enjoy.

I study Communication Science and the body language, the way of speaking the slangs of the woman who make the call at the bar is very well represented, specifically from Zona Norte region in Rio de Janeiro, which is where the movie took place.

"Wolf at the Door", debut film written and directed by Fernando Coimbra is an amazing piece of film making. A revenge mystery/drama will haunt you long after viewing.

The illicit and extra marital affair can be destructive and it will cost so much, the collateral damage have always been ignored.

Silvia and Bernardo's daughter has been kidnapped and it opens a can of worms when Bernardo's lover Rosa is being questioned as a main suspect.

Fernando Coimbra has written the script with immaculate precision, all the revelations has perfect place and it unfolds as soon as you are going to make acuity about the happening. The characters are well drawn keeping the deceit; lies and betrayal at every point.

Editing, cinematography and soundtrack are just brilliant, completing every frame perfectly; acting by main characters is believable, despair and desperation of the characters can be felt easing by the viewers.

A well done revenge drama which deserves to watched.

Highly recommended

Now, Fernando Coimbra knows how to make a film. This may be his very first feature length movie but it's shot, edited and acted to perfection. The plots does have some minor difficulties, but as a rule this tale of raw emotions and revenge works as if told by a veteran of the trade. The three leads are very good, especially so is Leandra Leal as Rosa, handling her role like one of the very best. The story might not be an original, but very few real original stories are still available for the picking. Hollywood has given up on originality long ago. If there's any originality to be found it's in the way stories are being told. Well Coimbra passes this test with flying colors. And considering the story he's telling he also does it without any excess, not using any gratuitous violence or any unwarranted emotional manipulation. All that while still maintaining suspense and characters development. It's a very good bottom line for any film, all the more when it's a feature length first. Fernando Coimbra is definitely a director to follow.