De Caso com o Inimigo

First let me say Paz as Michael was fantastic, great casting. She looks like Penelope Cruz but much hotter. As for the film, its the perfect example of a good bad movie. Parts of it are good, like the main characters, acting, dialogue and if the rumors are true the sex scenes mimics Will & Jada's alleged open marriage. Now for the bad part, the plot is 4-play without the sex & even at its climax at best its blah. Also the big secret thats finally revealed is such a let down, you see it coming the minute its introduced its like someone telling you the guy with the bloody gloves & knife is the killer. With all that said its a watchable film.

Do you understand Quantum Mechanics?

Do you understand the Big Bang Theory?

Do you understand Nano Technology?

If so, you will still NEVER understand why Michael (Paz Vega, hot model) would EVER talk to or even look at the douche-bag Julian. EVER. He is such a jerk & slim ball he is under anyone's radar on human interaction. Where are serial killers when you need them to dispatch of this dirt bag. Julian has no human characteristic whatsoever that you would want to interact with him on any level. Cleaning dirt from under your toe nails would be much more entertaining.

Writer hint for next movie: Don't create a character that has absolutely no screen charm whatsoever. Avoid total selfish characters with boring attributes.

See Julian suffer. See Julian pine for a girl in a one night fling. See Julian hit a guy. See Julian hit a woman. See Julian as a total dip stick. (other words prohibited)

GUIDE TO MOVIE:

Get remote. Check batteries. Watch Paz Vega. Fast forward 30X to next Paz Vega scene. Watch Paz. REPEAT till end of movie.

Not knowing anything about cast or director helped me truly enjoy this film, I had no pre conceived ideas or expectations. Except for a few not fully explained issues, the main plot and non conventional story take you to an original situation where freedom, anguish, pain, and a chance for liberation clash incessantly. This movie is not for the standard American public, I can predict it will be very well received in other parts of the world with more sophisticated film tastes. The chemistry between both lead actors is electrifying, the continuous tension keeps your attention fixed. Not knowing how the story will end keeps you guessing multiple outcomes. The sexual encounters are realistic and totally appropriate.

It is true, this is a terrible movie. it is not the sort of movie that leaves you feeling you have wasted your time as such, but rather, a waste of emotion. After you finish with it you wonder, what was the point?

there were several threads through out the movie that never developed into anything, for example the negotiation meeting, the brother in-law, the horny Italian girl friend, the blonde girlfriend, the photo shoots...

the main character Julian is about unattractive as they come. he has no humour or charm or sex appeal of any kind, not even half good looking, on the other hand he is violent, moody and above all, unhappy. it made it unconvincing how someone as gorgeous and lovably as Pex Vega's character would be at all attracted to this guy, let alone fall in love.

there were some sex in it, none felt satisfying or necessary, if anything, their lack of elegance somewhat reduced my enjoyment of the movie.

Julian Wright (Jason Clarke) is a successful, if overworked, marketing specialist, who is unable to cope with several events from his past. Emotionally distanced he lost his wife to his friend and is currently contemplating signing the divorce papers. With his love life in tatters he focuses entirely on his job with a big pay rise and new office on the horizon. That is until he meets Michael (Paz Vega), a sexually charged immigrant with an overdose of charm and chaos (like Amelia on crack). Almost an erotic thriller, much in the vein of "9 and 1/2 Weeks", although with the slight twist that Paz takes on the role of Mickey Rourke.

I seldom tend to gift a movie more than it's general rating on IMDb, but I for one am completely sold by a very witty, well developed script with fairly deep underlying psychological commentary. I do understand some of the issues with the movie. First of them would be the main characters. Both Julian and Michael (however much eye-candy she may be) are severely unlikeable leads, but given that both have deep emotional issues I find their dysfunctionality rather appealing and warranted. This may cause a lot of negativity towards the movie due to the inability to form a connection between the viewer and the characters, but once you gloss over this and delve into the story it can be quite rewarding. The relationship between Michael and his family, friends as well as Paz is thoroughly believable, even if we fail to grow warm to them.

"The Human Contract" probably should have also had more focus around the main issue of contention: Michael. The addition of the family context was well warranted, if unevenly scripted, especially in the final act, where the movie does unforgivably falter and the resolution is appallingly done (acted, scripted and directed). Almost as if Jada Pinkett Smith had no idea how to finish the movie off nicely and concocted up a poor filler in which neither she not any of her crew had any faith in. Hence the unfitting hack-job to cap off some really inspirational filmmaking. Also some of the characters and situations seem superfluous and detrimental. In regards to this one big irk is the lack of resolution to Julian's marketing contract, which seems like a key part of the movie, but fails to be closed (it suddenly and inexcusably drops out of the story) by the end credits.

Nonetheless the dialogue is crisp and cerebral, while the direction is assured. All in all some very important elements for great filmmaking, but just needs to work a bit on some of the rough spots in the movie.

For those interested the movie does offer some great erotic scenes with real tension and memorable build-up - something that I haven't seen in cinema for quite some time.