Durval Discos

The plot is a simple story which develops into a bizarre tragic-comedy. For all lovers of Brazilian music, this film is a great opportunity to (re)listen some unforgettable classics of the late 60s and early 70s. The ones used to Brazilian TV will recognize comedy actresses like veteran Etty Fraser and humor star Marisa Orth. Brazil´s rock queen, Rita Lee, also appears paying a tribute to MPB, Brazil´s valuable contribution to the international music scenario.

No, vinyl will never die, which unfortunately for the environment is true on several levels. But I digress. I LOVED "Durval Discos" for so many reasons, starting with the clever opening credits that not only pulled me right into the scene but had me sighing with saudade to be back in a Brazilian city and experiencing the everyday flow of life there. Secondly there was the homage to MPB which had me feeling as reverent as the character Fat Marley when he comes across a certain LP in the bin - easily the funniest scene in the movie. That is, unless you count the one where Durval is explaining just why vinyl LPs are better than CDs, which he refuses to sell in his shop. To me, with all those classic records at his fingertips, Durval had the dream job of all time, yet his peaceful existence was about to be shattered like a brittle 78. Despite the puzzling ending, I was glad that the movie kept its edge and never descended into the "cute kiddie wins over curmudgeonly bachelor" formula. Etty Fraser is fantastic as the out-of control (would-be) grandma. See this if you get the chance!

The director Anna Muylaert choose Durval to resume the spirit of nostalgia of people who until the 90's think that they would always live with LP'S , without the new technology of the CD.OK, this , in theory, was the theme of the movie, but the story takes the way of the madness, the way of the "non-sense", showing the wish of an old lady to have a company of a children. Although the amazing sound track,with songs of Sá e Guarabira, Jorge Ben, Toquinho e Vinicius, Tim Maia and others Brazilian music icons, the movie does not have good cinema technology details like screenplay, and the places where the movie is filmed are terrible, without any care.

This movie is a must see. At the beginning you think it will be like a regular one, but as it develops it gets really spectacular. It is funny and sad at the same time. The main character (Durval) is one of a kind. His mother is too. Some parts are so funny that you will laugh a lot.I did. And I am not a person that uses to laugh for no reason. For me, to laugh, something has to be REALLY funny. And this movie IS. But some others parts are SAD. But not so sad. So, be cool. No need for too much tears. The songs played are very good ones. The story is very well elaborated. Out of the box. Something you would never guess. Don't miss it if you have a chance to watch it. For a Brazilian film I give it a 10.

The movie was shot in 2002 trying to create a bound with the scenario of 1995, Brazil, São Paulo - Pinheiros. At the beginning, this movie shows a sequence that exposes the production crew relation with the local neighbourhood, exhibiting the cast titles in medias that are very particular from that neighbourhood (street signs, restaurant menus, publicity places that are very faithful with that brazilian context time). The context is built on the transition of the LP's to Cd's as a media for music consumption, but the strong part of the film is built on characters and the environment itself. Some people may say that the movie goes to this "nosense" direction, but It makes a lot of sense with you take it from the characters point of view. Nowadays people may expect that every character on movies should take the most rational decision, as if they were thinking as you think (that is actually one of the main issues regarding movie critics). The piece starts showing the environment of that particular place and time, creating gaps (indications) for the spectator to dive in that context and get empathy with characters displayed on the movie. The scrip is very peculiar and consistent, if you look deeply you will see the retrospective of a lot of terms (speak lines) and visuals. The soundtrack is really amusing and reaches a variety of songs that nowadays are taken as Brazilian classics (All "gringos" (foreigners) that have come to são paulo and have gone to real cultural places have heard at least a half of that soundtracks ). - yep they are really good songs even that I have never heard them live. And thats the beauty of internet, you are able to create your own listening experience without ever knowing the real characters at that specific time.

I'm really Sorry for the bad english, I just felt very indignant with the first review about this film that was displayed at my IMDB timeline from Claudio Carvalho18 - June 2004, witch was a shallow review. That motivated me on writing these words. This movie should really get way more than 6.9.