Nos Tempos da Vaselina

Much better film than I expected! Irregular but funny sexploitation comedy. A country bumpkin visits his cousin in Rio de Janeiro, in Ipanema beach, dreaming on having sex with local girls. In big town, he is immediately victim of cheats and bullying. Will his fate change? I will not answer, as there will be no spoiler here. While there are some problems in the film (bad acting sometimes, messy edition, the usual problem of naturalizing sexual harassment, unnecessary unfunny scenes I would not include...), there are also hilarious moments, such as the taxi driver and the scene of Flamengo club jersey, and many other amusing situations. João Carlos Barroso does a good job in the leading role. The film is also a good witness of youth culture and view of Rio de Janeiro South Zone in late 70's.

In the countryside town of Macacu, the hick Onofre (João Carlos Barroso) receives a letter from his cousin Paulinho (Marcos Jardim) inviting him to travel to Rio de Janeiro to enjoy the Wonderful City. When the naive Onofre arrives, he is stolen in the bus station and lured by a taxi driver. He has to sleep on the sidewalk and beg for food without Paulinho's address that was in his suitcase. When he meets the musician Carlinhos Lyra, he uses the television broadcast to find Paulinho.

Onofre is welcomed by Paulinho and his friends in Ipanema beach but the newcomer is clumsy and he is mocked by the whole gang from the beach. However, Onofre dates Dadá (Andréa Camargo" and Paulinho's girlfriend Patricia "Pat" (Alvamar Taddei) and the others girls believe that he is "good in bed". The next is Lucinha (Aldine Müller), but the motel is robbed and they have to leave the room without having sex. Meanwhile Onofre learns how to dance in an academy with the teacher Liz (Kate Lyra). When he is ready to dance, he invites Liz to date him in the New York City Discoteque.

Andre and his male friends are jealous and believe that Onofre is a threat to them. When the prudish Martinha (Petty Pesce) invites Onofre to her birthday party at home with her parents and two very big brothers, Andre and his friends plots a scheme to get rid off Onofre.

"Nos Tempos da Vaselina" is a silly and shallow comedy with stereotyped characters and selfish behaviors. The cruel and selfish treatment of Andre and his friends from Ipanema is despicable but believable. However, there are many external shots and it is nostalgic for those like me that lived those years in Rio de Janeiro to see again the fashionable New York City Discoteque or the beaches and streets in Rio de Janeiro in 1979. Further, the cast has some of the most beautiful Brazilian women of the 70's and 80's, highlighting the gorgeous Kate Lyra that unfortunately does not undress along the story. The title is an opportunist joke with the 1978 "Grease", a.k.a. "Grease – Nos Tempos da Brilhantina" in Brazil. There is a cameo of the soccer players Paulo Cesar Caju and Gil. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "Nos Tempos da Vaselina" ("In the Times of the Vaseline")