Amores Possíveis

I saw this film yesterday in a very tiny cinema in Frankfurt, in the back part of a bar. A really cool place that created the necessary environment to watch this movie.

This is a film one would always like to see. Three different stories based on almost the same script, with different characters and life situations. One of these stories with a different ending. The one that all of us would like to be the `real' one, if there is such a thing like a real one, the one with the happy ending. Unfortunately the most improbable one.

This three parallel stories are not based, as `Run Lola Run', in three different consequences on how the main character decides in front of one situation. This is a nice script experiment, involved in a very funny movie. I enjoyed it, and I hope you will enjoy it too.

The "what if?" technique of three alternate life lines that 'Amores Possiveis' employs makes for a very interesting story if not a classic feature. The film's well-directed and well-acted definitely but its true strength lies in the script.

The different versions of each of the players are especially well characterised. Carolina Ferraz is absolutely amazing in portraying the different places that the character of Julia finds herself in and making them believable, Emílio de Melo makes each Pedro amusing in different ways while keeping the same subtly sentimental core.

Most importantly however, though principal actor, Murilo Benício doesn't seem to be the most astonishing of actors, he has an amazing and amazingly written character, in Carlos, whose portrayal he absolutely owns. And so 'Amores Possiveis' ends up being a more than decent film -great in bits, a tad trite perhaps in others- but an absolutely excruciating portrayal of the many ways that one single man can be a cowardly, childish asshole and how there may still be those slight possibilities that he can escape his own shortcomings.

Carlos, a lawyer, has three different lives but one thing is the same: A dream about ex girlfriend, Julia. Years earlier, Carlos and Julia were supposed to meet at the movies. She never showed up.

The first Carlos is married to his wife, Maria, but is not very happy with his life. The second Carlos is divorced with a son and lives with his male lover. The third Carlos is single with a string of different girlfriends and lives at home with his mother.

Each man is reunited with his love, Julia, but the ending for each man is not what you'd expect.

Amores Possíveis (Possible Loves) is an interesting story of three different possible loves. It is acted out well by the main characters Murilo Benico and Carolina Ferraz who play multiple parts.

I also liked the music soundtrack, which featured songs by musicians like Chico Buarque, Zizi Possi, Ana Carolina, João Gilberto, Paulinho Moska, Bonga, Afro Cuban All Stars and much more.

a film of flavors.the flavors of love . and sex. seductive, sweet, a little bitter. but comfortable, romantic and the best choice after a long and not easy work day. a Brazilian film. and this defines all. not a soap opera but not real far. because the same ideal universe, with three versions, same game of feelings and desires , same need of the other and the expectation to be the right choice are present. but something did the difference. not real precise. maybe, the actors. and the story who seems be created for everyone.

Three different stories, or better possible lives, all starting with something insignificant but determining 15 years ago. This script sounds really familiar to me. Watch the marvelous movie from the German director Tom Tykwer 'Lola rennt' (1998) with the tagline: "Every second of every day you're faced with a decision that can change your life." Go see them both!