Anjos e Demônios

A kind of strange magic infiltrates this movie and dominates us from the very first scene. I say that because when you get the whole picture you know the scenario and the story is something you've seen before time and again yet it feels like something new and you enjoy it. Carlos Hugo Christensen's "Anjos e Demônios" ("Angels and Demons") is heavily clichéd but there's an appeal to it that is best seen than explained. I was only in it to see the young actor Luiz Fernando Ianelli, whose previous film with the director was a memorable little performance in "O Menino e o Vento" and I wanted to see how different he would be. Once again, he delivered a fine performance and makes me wonder why his career didn't took off (he only made five films, not even one TV series which is a rare instance for a Brazilian actor).

Plain and simple, the film tells the story of Virginia (Eva Christian), a pretty teenage girl living her rich uncle (Fregolente), and she's the kind of girl who always enjoy partying hard but not so much in doing some work. Her routine consists on Saturday night outs or just find ways to put her uncle to sleep early so she can invite her friends to party on her apartment, leaving all the mess to be cleaned by the butler in the morning. At one of those parties, comes a crasher who was there to rob the place but he's caught by the girl, who had her eyes on him for some time. His name is Paulo (Ianelli), a poor guy who lives of doing things like that. An instant attraction begins between both and next thing we know they're always going out, fooling around and having a great time at the expense of Victoria's uncle. Jumping a little ahead on the plot, the other half of the film consists in Victoria arranging for the murder of her uncle and take all his money, a plan she conceives along with the family lawyer (Geraldo Del Rey), of whom she seduces very easily. The rest isn't worth telling.

"Anjos e Demônios" portrays a colorful, sexy and dangerous cultural scenario of the 1970's, filled with parties, street racing, sex, drugs and classic rock, something very hard to find in Brazilian films then and now. As for the story, I was so thrilled by all of what's happening that for moments I completely forgot that the ending was something I could see miles away - so, the shock effect on me was really genuine, I liked that. But again, it's nothing you haven't seen before: troubled youths, excesses, some violence on the way, artful plots and characters who get easily fooled. What makes this film succeeding is the presence of the cast, all believable performances, not one stiff acting (very common back in those days) and they're quite enjoyable to see.

Technical aspect that bothered me big time was the sound, at least in the version I've seen, which awfully kept fading at the final 20 minutes. That was upsetting. Gladly, it's a simple story and I could get a sense of what was going on. Quite good movie. 7/10

"Anjos e Demonios" (Angels and Demons) – there are many films with this title, but the film that I'm reviewing was made in 1970 in Brazil.

"Anjos e Demonios" starts as a youth film. In 1970, the earthquake of the youth revolution was shaking the whole world - Politics (May 1968 in France and then… in the whole world), Morals…. everything was being turned upside down. The late 60s to the early 70s… a heavy rain was falling on the old world – and this was felt even in countries that were ruled by repressive dictatorships and now I'm talking about Brazil. In 1970 the military government was tightening its grip on the country, but the youth rebellion made itself felt. It's truth that this "rebellion" was confined mostly to the upper reaches of the middle class, and it generally took the form of partying, but even so there were new ideas about sex, sexual life etc… beginning to spread around.

"Anjos e Demonios" – a brief sketching (without any spoilers) to give you a taste of the story:

A teenage girl, Virginia (Eva Christian) during a party gets to know a small-time thief, Paulo (Luiz Fernando Ianelli). There is mutual attraction and understanding between them. She is from the Zona Sul (South Zone - the richer part of the city) and he is from the Zona Norte (North Zone - the poorer part of the city), but both are good looking, intelligent and also… ambitious. Both like discos, parties, good food and they spend a lot. In the beginning they go to parties with their gang, take part in car races and so on… One night after lots of drinking and a bit of pot, Virginia, Paulo and another couple go to a beach, get naked and go for a swim, there's an orgy and swinging. Eventually a scandal breaks out and the police intervene. Virginia's uncle, Marcos (Fregolente) is very angry and begins to cut down on Virginia's money allowance. Virginia is not satisfied. What is to do? And the film slowly veers into a crime thriller full of twists - everything will be crowned by a surprising ending.

Carlos Hugo Christensen made many interesting films in Argentina and Brazil. I know some films of his later output and among them I recommend "Caingangue" (1973), a western film, "Enigma para Demonios" (Enigma for Demons – 1975), a horror film and also a psychological and crime thriller, "A Mulher do Desejo - a Casa das Sombras" (The Woman of Desire - The House of the Shadows" - 1975, a horror film, and "A Morte Transparente" (The Transparent Death) - 1978, a crime thriller.

"Anjos e Demonios" is a pleasant time capsule with an interesting story, attractive people on the screen and a good soundtrack (featuring rock songs from important and not so important bands/singers).

Recommended especially if you love the 60s and 70s.