Até que a Vida nos Separe

This Brazilian comedic drama takes place in the huge metropolis of Sao Paulo, the world's second largest city.(The film offers some breathtaking cityscapes.) The plot deals with the inter-relationships within a group of upper middle-class friends, all within a couple of years of age 30. They are professional, well-educated, pretty stable, but subject to the same pressures other "yuppies" feel in metropolitan areas around the world. ATE A AMIZADE NOS SEPARAR means "'Til Friendship Comes Between Us" or "'Til Friendship Splits Us All Up", and friendship almost does split up this modern-day family. Their bond is closer to the one they have with their own families, but even this bond is put to the test repeatedly not only by urban angst, but due to the cultural/psychological diversity amongst even such a tight group, with so much common ground. A couple are sexually confused, not emotionally fulfilled, one is out and gay, a good looking black friend lives the life of the international playboy, a couple just seek "normal" love. A couple are Jewish, a couple are very rich. In short, an interesting sociological study of the diversity within Brazil's urban professionals. Fine cinematography and editing complement the terrific acting by the ensemble cast headed by Alexandre Borges and Julia Lemmertz, who add depth to the well-developed characters.

In São Paulo, Lulu (Betty Gofman), João Henrique da Costa (Alexandre Borges), Maria (Júlia Lemmertz), Pedro (Norton Nascimento) e Paulo (Marco Ricca) are very close friends, all of them in a good social position and around thirty years old. João has problems with his parents and loves Maria. Maria is a businesswoman, who has a great affection for her father. Lulu is a lovely woman needing and missing a love. Pedro is a mulatto, who spends his money with blonde whores. And Paulo is a non-assumed gay, who has lost his former love Daniel, victim of Aids. In her birthday party, Lulu meets Antonio (Murilo Benício) and falls in love with him. This movie is an excellent contemporary story about friendship and human relationship in a huge city. The direction is great and the performance of the cast is outstanding, highlighting the role of Alexandres Borges and Julia Lemmertz, who are married in real life, together with Betty Gofman. The screenplay and dialogs are intelligent and marvelous. It is impossible not to like this movie. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): ` Até Que a Vida nos Separe' (`Until Life Gets us Apart')