De Caso com o Inimigo

I didn't really know what to make of this film. It's like one story ends and another one begins, as though the handling of the story/script wasn't given discipline. It's hard to believe this type of story was written by Jada Pinkett, a really good black actress, I admired for years. Clarke's performance, with his flawless yank accent is the only reason to watch this, though the story does get you in, because you wanna see, where it's gonna go. There is a little sex, yes, some nice shots of lingerie thanks to Paz, but I had myself asking "Where is the story going". I actually thought the successful average looking, if dull, Julian (Clarke) with everything ahead of him was being set up by Vega, like in the car with the menois de trois, where the other chick was filming him, where he then bailed, where she was gonna slowly destroy and take over his business, being an old flame and that. I was way off. I should of stayed with my first impression-Vega was just one of those chicks (suicidal), void of restraint for living life on the wild side. Joanna Cassidy, popping up in this as Clarke's messed up mother, added good support. Too, I did like Clarke's short fuse, his anger problems, where between the possibility of facing a prison sentence or losing his job, had him walking a tightrope. All in all, The Human Contract isn't bad, all flaws aside. In the end, yeah, check out how it ends, it's just a time passer, but involving at the time.

I really was overwhelmed by the greatness of this film. The title seemed too philosophical for me, but in the end it proved right,so now I'm Jason Clarke's fan (wasn't before). This film made me sit for a long time and think hard about my relationships and how I react to my mother and my dear ones. After watching The Human Contract I truly realized that our tears should be shed for other human beings not for things in this material world.I love Jada Pinkett Smith and Paz Vega, and, of course, Idris Elba. I've always thought that Spanish actress Paz Vega is much better than Penelope Cruz, but she hadn't had the same opportunities. In the film The Human Contract she surpasses herself and gives us the portrait of a suffering woman, who lives her life only to try to do what is "decent" and appropriate for her, disregarding the criticizing society.

This intense drama seemed very carefully crafted. Involving the past, the present and the future, the individuals in the movie capture some of the human foibles but suggest a better future. The idea of having a human contract indicates that we can be alone and together with others - most intensely in relationships but also with our work, our family and our time. The primary characters are at the peak of power and living a stylish lifestyle and sexuality needs to be dealt with. The movie does not prescribe but lets the audience draw conclusions. Thinking about the issues of life, sexuality and mortality, the director points the audience into the dark corners but does not do the thinking for the audience. Some will feel deeply uncomfortable as there are no answers. If the film makes you uncomfortable, that might be the point. Or you can feel comfortable with the ambiguity and draw your own conclusions. Great camera work, well casted, intensely acted. The ideas posed that one can control one's own destiny, pick a different path, go to the greatness within. Jealousy, rage, passion, enlightened thought, different choices all thrown in a jumbled salad that I truly enjoyed.

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.

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.