micmic1431968

Who wouldn't like to be rich, have the girl of his dreams and live the "big life" ? How many people, given the chance, would sacrifice their honesty in order to materialize their desires and live their dreams - even if just for a while ? And what about the price one has to pay for his thriftlessness ? All these questions were as timely in 50s' Greece as they are today all over the world. And if you ever had those questions yourself, you will surely identify with Dimitris Horn in one of his more exquisite performances. Javellas's direction is nothing less than inspired and conveys magnificently the nuances of the script.

This is not a comedy per se; a more appropriate description would be "a bitter but upbeat satire". I don't know how exactly a non-Greek could ever run into this film, but if you do you'd better not miss it. My only gripe is the -almost- happy end which is somewhat unrealistic in my eyes, and in direct contrast with the bitter realism of the rest of the movie. In a way, it reminds me of the ending of "Breakfast at Tiffany's". But I guess others will love it the way it is. In any case, this movie is an amazingly poignant comment on money and the way it relates to our dreams and especially the most fugacious of them: love.

I must have been the only Greek who hasn't watched this one on the big screen. It seems I knew better... Last week it was on TV. I must admit I wasn't expecting anything special, but I also didn't expect it to be so disappointing. There are some witty lines, but if we are given a couple of hours, me and my friends will come up with better jokes. No surprise however it was a huge success and got a decent Imdb score: The success springs from the majority, and it is the same majority who have made Greek TV such an idiot's sink.

I've always been a lover of Brazil and have been fascinated by Brazilian music & culture for years, although I've never been there (yet). This movie is deeply Brazilian, and -strange as it may seem- it made me love Brazil even more. From the first to the last minute, you really can't take your eyes of the screen. It's a shocking movie, true, but it is also refreshing and unique. The directors have simply done the best work I've EVER seen! It's that simple. The actors are unbelievable when you think that most of them have never acted before. But the true power of the movie is the diffusive, captivating, romantic -and at the same time cruel- Brazilian soul. This is the kind of movie that after the first couple of minutes makes any noisy spectators shut up and watch with open mouths till the end titles and beyond. Those who have watched the legendary "Orfeu Negro" can't help but compare the happy, shiny faces of the children in "Orfeu Negro" with the scared and frightening faces of the children in this movie. The beautiful and the ugly face of the favela... I really can't say much more except that this movie is not entertainment but experience...