Amor & Cia

Light and superficial adaptation of Eça de Queiroz's novel "Alves & Cia" rest all its forces in the talent of Brazilian actor Marco Nanini. The dialogues are a too bit far-fetched and unfunny and the investigation of the social structure of the time - in fact, the great aim of Queiroz novels - is completely lost here. Anyway, it's a good new to see that Brazilian's movies are back in the streets again!

This is a comedy more for smiling than laughing - intelligent situations, intelligent quotations all the time. And it deals quite well with the conflict between personal interests and public moral.

Very amusing movie by Helvecio Ratton, dramatic comedy of manners based in a novel by Eça de Queiroz, but taking place in São João del-Rei after the Abolition of Slavery and the arrival of railway, instead of Portugal. The script is an exemple of well made adaptation from book into cinema, and the period art design by Clóvis Bueno is perfect. Marco Nanini is brilliant as usual, and the rest of the cast also goes well: awarded Patrícia Pillar, Alexandre Borges, Rogério Cardoso, Nelson Dantas, Ary França, and so forth. The long shot scene of Godofredo Alves entering his home in orther to surprise his wife Ludovina was great.

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.

Amor & Cia has simple story about one rich businessman, Godofredo, in the XIX century that found his wife Ludovina in love with his joint owner, Machado. In the same moment, he expels Ludovina from his house and invites Machado for a fight.

Although this summary could make us think it's a drama or anything that could end in a tragedy, Amor & Cia is a "light" comedy where love and business mix together with humour.

For instance what do you think would happen in the office where they used to work together? One of them would work in other room? Maybe one would sold for the other all his fraction of the business.... No way! Godofredo gets early in the office and pushes Machado's table to one side and his to the opposite, so they can stay as far as possible.

Although nothing happens during all the movie, so it can be boring for some people, the sceneries, clothes and the past reconstitution are perfect. And they filmed it in some Brazilian historical cities that are very attractive.

More than all this Amor & Cia shows that Brazil can do good and beautiful films not only in the story but in all aspects of one production. It doesn't look poor. And it's the opposite of Central do Brasil (Central Station). After you watch this you think that Brazil is a good place while you're watching Central do Brasil, you think it's the worst place of the world. Amor & Cia helps us to stop the enormous preconception against Brazil.