Coeur allumé

The best film of 1998. The return of a filmmaker very intelligent and sensible, who has not yet been considered a "mester". Maria Luiza Mendonça act is very intense, an actress who always plays very uncommon roles gives us a gift in her debout in the Cinema speaking in a language that is not her birth one. It's an obligatory movie.

I just watched this movie as part of Expression of Brazil program at Toronto Harbourfront Centre this weekend. Contrary to other reviews, I did not find any chemistry between the young couple. The movie did not convince or explore enough that they are in "crazy" or absolute love that could last 20 years. Poor dialogues and sometimes very bad editing contributed to worsen this movie. Actually there too many parallel stories that could easily turn into at least 5 different movies: the relationship between the main character and his father, the romance with Ana, his career as movie director, the brief relationship with Lilith and his return 20 years late. I've been told this movie is in part Babenco biography and when it was booed at Cannes festival, he commented ".. I felt as they are booing my own life..."...Nope, not with your life but the the way you told us.