O Outro Lado da Rua

"The Other Side of the Street" is one of those wonderful films that may be a little hard to take in, but that are so worth the experience. It brilliantly tells a story of a woman on her 60s who is desperately lonely, who is looking for some reason to feel alive and needed. When she witnesses something strange happening on the other side of the street, she immediately finds a way to bring that event into her own dark life. Once more, Fernanda Montenegro proves to be an amazing actress, by giving to her character different nuances of one single self. She is just perfect. It's an actor's film, beautifully directed by M. Bernstein, co-writer of "Central Station". And the music, or the lack of it at some points, transfers the feeling of loneliness from the screen right into the audience. I definitely recommend this film, for those who wish to reflect about the consequences of modern times on common people's lives.

Brazilian movies often appeal to things such as violence, drugs, and (mostly) sex. This one is different. It tells the story of an elderly woman (Fernanda Montenegro) who lives alone and works for the police by reporting crimes she sees when she goes out or looks out the window. One night, she sees what appears to be a murder on the apartment across the street (somewhat hitchcocky, this part). A man (Raul Cortez) gives his wife an injection and she dies. The police doesn't listen to her, so she has to go find out the truth by herself. That's when the beautiful and enchanting love story begins. This woman falls in love with the suspect (who's also an elderly man) and finds out that it's never too late to live a love story again.

It shows that even if you think you're the loneliest person alive, and have no hope, someone will be there waiting for you. no matter how old you are.

This movie really makes me proud. It shows sex, but in a beautiful way. It shows violence, but in a real-but-not-too-shocking way... it's about loneliness, hope, and of course, love!

Fernanda Montenegro and Raul Cortez have an incredibly wonderful chemestry, they're both marvelous actors, and did a great job... and so did the director Marcos Berstein. The photography (cinematography?) is also wonderful. One of the best brazilian movies ever, for sure. a MUST-SEE! 9 out of 10!

"O Outro Lado da Rua" or "The Other Side of the Street" tells the story of Regina, a lonely 65 year old who works as an undercover informer for the police, using the code name Snowwhite. When she thinks she witnesses one of her neighbors from across the road murdering his wife, she immediately calls the police. They respond to the call, but even though they find the dead woman, they can't find anything wrong in the men's apartment. They say it's a natural cause of death, but Regina doesn't believe them and she will do anything to prove that she was right. She starts following him, but isn't always very successful doing so. And instead of keeping her job and her emotional life separate, she soon falls in love with the man who she thinks is a murderer...

Next to being a good drama and a thriller, this movie also gives some interesting social criticism. People who are a bit older or retired are often lonely and aren't considered as useful anymore, they are seen as a part of the decor and certainly shouldn't talk or have their own opinion... I guess that's an idea that not only can be found in Brazil, where this movie was made, but all over the world. It's the same over here. Once people have reached a certain age, they seem to be considered as useless for society, which isn't correct of course. As this movie shows, even older people should and can have a meaningful life and certainly shouldn't be alone.

Next to the message, this movie also has other strong points. One of these points is the acting. Fernanda Montenegro and Raul Cortez did a very nice job portraying the two older and lonely people who meet each other in this weird way. They are very believable and there has never been a moment that I considered their acting as unbelievable or over the top. Their performances are sincere and beautiful. Other nice features are the photography and the music, which both give this movie an extra fine touch.

Overall this is a movie that probably will not be loved by the majority of the public because there aren't any flashy action shots or fast car chases in it. But for all the people that love the alternative and foreign cinema, this is certainly worth a watch. I give it a 7.5/10.

Foreign film moviegoers who appreciated "Central Station" 1998 from director Walter Salles will definitely once again enjoy Fernanda Montenegro in another Brazilian gem, a small one, perhaps, nevertheless, " Outro Lado Da Rua, O" 2004 aka "The Other Side of the Street" from director Marcos Bernstein (who also wrote the story), is a worthy film for wider recognition.

It does remind one of Hitchcock's "Rear Window," yet Regina, the heroine of the story in her sixties, energetically portrayed by Montenegro, is dutifully observing 'the other side of the street' through her binoculars vs. from the 'rear' of her building. And, this is not exactly a thriller, it's very much a human story: of two lonely people who needed to open up, reach out to touch someone and be touched. By circumstance or by fate, the human spirit at heart, quietly beckons to be rekindled. What's old age? Youthfulness is how comfortable you feel about yourself - let go of burdens and welcome - let love walk in.

Sounds 'corny,' maybe. So say one of Emily Dickinson's 'trimeter' epigrams: "The heart wants what it wants - or else it does not care -" Bernstein's story is sensitive, tender, witty, very much captures the predicaments of the two lead characters. And the music by Guilherme Bernstein Seixas accompanied the scenes well, as if the rhythm and musical notes understood the situation of these two: Regina and Camargo, the retired judge across the street, played wonderfully by Raul Cortez.

I noticed cable Sundance Channel has aired this Brazilian gem several times already. It is available on DVD (1 hr. 38 min.) Check it out and quietly enjoy.

I had the opportunity to watch this movie at Cannes Film Festival and I really enjoyed it. Full of emotion and tenderness. It's so rare nowadays to see stories about the feelings of elder people that watching it made me understand that all generations look for the same things: love, understanding, generosity and companionship.

Fernanda Montenegro again confirms here her career as a great actress. I read that this film has been selected in a great number of festivals throughout the world and has won many prizes. I hope that will help distributors to bring this Brazilian pearl to large audiences in many countries.