It's 1970 in Brazil and twelve-year-old Mauro isn't interested in much besides soccer and girls. But when his parents are forced to flee the country for political reasons, he's left in the care of his elderly grandfather and meets some people who will, you know, change his life forever.
Big question: Is the movie good enough to justify its selection as one of only nine semi-finalists for Oscar's best foreign language film race?
Catch it: There's nothing particularly surprising or daring about this nostalgia-drenched tale. It has everything you'd expect to find on a coming of age cliché checklist: the pretty older woman, precocious young love interest, rebellious male role models and wise old man. But its portrait of a multi-cultural Brazil is warm and welcoming just the same.
Skip it: If you haven't seen the animated French film "Persepolis" yet. Although it was surprisingly shut out of the foreign Oscar competition it's a smarter, more absorbing take on how oppressive political regimes can damage families and impact young people.
Bottom line: Filmmaker Cao Hamburger chooses to explore a politically tumultuous time through the most passive observers possible—children. That's great for sentimental Oscar voters, not so great for viewers looking for stimulating world cinema. Fortunately, Hamburger's solid craftsmanship ensures a slick, enjoyable product, even if it's too by-the-numbers to really stand out.
(2 ratings)
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