Mensageiros do Mal

This film really deserves to be seen. I saw it at a festival in Oregon but never heard a word about it anywhere else. It's beautifully shot, has great cast, strong direction and an awesome score. I like films that play with genre but don't fall into any one and this film did just that. Maybe that's why nobody knew what to do with it. But the movie has a real unique mood and sensibility. It's funny but creepy , cheeky and totally deadpan. Yeah, it's a little slow at times and could have had a bit more action. Still, so m any low-budget films are cheesy and shlocky but this one is actually really well-directed and features some of the best acting in its class. I watch at least 5 films a week and this one definitely stood out in a good way.

I think the whole point of this film is to play with truth and fiction. It's full of 'winks' to the audience and that's what makes it great. The entire opening scene is pure comedy. The only reason to be angry is if you didn't get that from the beginning but if you see the characters and what they do, it should be obvious. You're not in normal sci-fi territory here and of course, if that is what you need then you will be disappointed. However, this film is designed to mess with that expectation and replace it with something more human and poignant. This film isn't supposed to be about alien existence, it is about human communication (hence- 'Messengers'). At that, it's unlike anything I've seen.

Dr. Sarah Chapel (Michele Hicks) returns to the small town of Brighton Mills when her father Dr. Robert Chapel (Richard Bekins) unexpectedly dies. His clients and friends miss him, and Sarah discloses that all of them have perfect health; they hear voices when they are sleeping; and they are addicted in the stimulant Tributal. Her further investigation discloses a dark secret about the haunting voices.

"Messengers" is a weird and original movie, with an intriguing plot awfully resolved. Michele Hicks has a good performance in the role of a skeptical and logical doctor trying to disclose the mystery of the locals that never get sick or die and hear scary voices. Unfortunately the disappointing resolution is not convincing and spoils a promising sci-fi movie. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Mensageiros do Mal" ("Messengers of Evil")

I can't believe this movie is taken seriously. It's impossible. OK, there are two or three good performances, but... My God! The screenplay is ridiculous and you can clearly see it in the first ten minutes. After these ten minutes things get even worse. The direction is completely lost and inconsistent. The movie keeps disappointing the spectator every time something close to interesting happens in a way that frustrates anyone. The two last scenes - oh, boy! - are surreal and made me laugh out loud.

The only thing I can think about to understand why this movie was produced and released is to take it as a big joke.