O Leão da Estrela

I recognize this is an old movie. It has more than 50 years. It's in Portuguese, and that can be an obstacle, but this is a GREAT, GREAT comedy. António Silva at his best. The most surprising is that this excellent comedy was made during a dictatorship, and that is unusual. If you understand Portuguese, SEE this movie. If you don't, than go and learn.

Anastácio is from Lisbon, a Sporting FC fan and has an unmarried daughter. When his favorite football team goes to North of Portugal in order to face FC Porto, Anastácio goes with the whole family to Porto and hosts in house of Mr. Barata a very rich friend of him who is precisely a fan of FC Porto and has an unmarried son. Directed by Arthur Duarte, this film has script by João Bastos and the participation of Antonio Silva, Milú, Erico Braga and Laura Alves.

This comedy involves an issue that speaks a lot to the Portuguese: football, and the rivalries among the top three teams in country (only two of them are part of the plot). The entire film revolves around this theme, but covers other two: love and marriage between people of different social status and the traditional rivalry between North and South of Portugal. Its one of the greatest films of Antonio Silva's career, a comic actor which is still fondly remembered in the country. The film is considered one of the greatest classics of Portuguese cinema and, therefore, is well-known and appreciated, and some of its jokes are as funny today as they were at the premiere.

One of great marks of Portuguese Film industry, this is a great and a simply funny story, reviewing a political era, when football was just entertainment. Filled with funny situations and presenting the cast of an era, represents family and social life in Portugal at that time. Strongly recommended, go and learn portuguese so that you can't miss a thing. Two thumbs up!!