An effective, mysterious, romantic and seductive adaptation of Aluísio Azevedo's short story, "O Madereiro" ("The Lumberman") transports
the action from the late 1800's to contemporary times, expands the action and twists of the story without betraying its original source. It only
explains too much due to such expansions, the introduction of more characters and new situations, but it's a fine entertaining movie that gives some
food for thought with its intriguing story.
Laura (Bianca Rinaldi) just lost her husband but it's not the end of the world as she's comforted by a friend in common, the art dealer
Júlio (Petrônio Gontijo). That man was obsessed with her from the first time they met, and now that nothing stands in their way, and she
approached him to buy some of the work of arts he sells, a romance flourishes (if I'm not mistaken, they were involved when the hubby was alive
too), and it goes with such intensity that the lady writes a series of romantic letters to the man.
Some time letter Laura decides to end the affair and demands that Júlio returns all her letters, claiming that she's soon to be married with
a lumberman, a strong, well-built but jealous man. Júlio finds it all weird and unbelievable but he proposes an exchange: he'll return the letters
as long as she invites him for dinner, some romance, some bed sharing, as a way of saying goodbye and remembering the good times. Obviously that
there's an acceptance of her part (with some reluctance as she sees that as a blackmail), but it gets creepy when a strange man starts following Júlio at his work. Could this man be the lumberman?
How much does he know about him and Laura?
Azevedo's short story is one of the quickest readings ever but a funny and intriguing one; as for the film it was a bright adaptation with
its use of some drama and some thrills to make us fully invested in the mystery of it all, if the woman's lying or not, or if their affair will
continue or not. It's a story about obsession, the ideas and actions that don't disappear from our hearts and minds, and the thin line between love
and casual sex, and both sides twist things over and over to best accomodate their ego, their wishes or something. And it's a funny, romantic, a little
sexy film. It took me a few months to remember that Gontijo and Bianca already played a cute couple in a soap opera many years ago and
though I've only seen bits and pieces of that, it was nice seeing them together again.
It's very easy to follow, leaves you intrigued for a long time and it comes with a fun plot twist. Worthy of view. 8/10.
