The Brazilian movie “The Secret Agent,” which simply opened in theaters throughout Israel, is an odd mixture of genres: greater than noir, it is a political thriller with some horror parts.
Imagine if Quentin Tarantino had collaborated with Elio Petri, who made the enduring film “Suspicious Citizens,” or Alan J. Pakula of “The President’s Men” and “The Parallax View,” or any of the handfuls of administrators who made Roger Corman’s slasher and horror movies. You’ll know what “The Secret Agent” is all about.
Some work, some do not, however most of them are suspenseful and generally even emotional.
Director Kleber Mendonca Filho by no means permits you to overlook the risk lurking round each nook. It’s no coincidence that the film The Secret Agent most straight references is Steven Spielberg’s traditional Jaws, which is taking part in within the theaters the place a lot of the motion takes place. There’s even a scene early on the place it is revealed {that a} human leg was inside a shark discovered on the shores of Recife, and that leg performs an vital function within the story.
But concern and terror do not imply a lot if there is no hero to fret about. The movie incorporates a very profitable protagonist, Armando (Wagner Moura).
“The Age of Great Mischief”
The opening title states that the movie is about in 1977 Brazil, “an period of nice mischief,” however this seems to be a tongue-in-cheek understatement.
In the opening scene, Armando drives to a gasoline station on a distant street on a scorching day, solely to discover a useless physique mendacity there. The gasoline station clerk tells him it is no huge deal, the person was robbing him and one other clerk shot him. Police say they’ll solely come after the continuing carnival festivities are over.
Just then, the police present up, however it seems that they’ve no real interest in the corpse in any respect and have come as a result of Armando, driving a yellow beetle, has aroused the police’s suspicions. Armando is affable and follows all their directions till they freely attempt to extort cash from him. He laughed and handed them a pack of cigarettes, saying he was out of cash.
From the opening scenes, Moura provides an extremely charming efficiency, displaying us that Armando is a fugitive who have to be cautious along with his each phrase and deed. Also, the story is about in a spot the place excessive corruption is rampant, life is reasonable, and the police are investigating, however they do not even really feel like investigating a homicide after they’re standing proper subsequent to a useless physique.
The film takes the time to elucidate precisely why he is on the run. Arriving in Recife, he meets a unusual older girl (Tania María) who manages an condo stuffed with “refugees,” however it’s not till almost the ultimate third that we absolutely perceive how they bought there.
It is ironic {that a} new identification is created for him and he finally ends up working below the pseudonym Marcelo on the authorities workplace that points identification playing cards.
There are cops throughout Recife as corrupt and evil as these Armando encountered alongside the best way, and in São Paulo two hitmen are employed and despatched to kill Armando. The cops and killers are all a bit clown-like, teasing and making enjoyable of one another, however they’re additionally harmful, and so they spend loads of time throwing our bodies and physique components into rivers.
In flashbacks, we be taught that after Armando’s spouse Fatima (Alice Carvalho) dies, Armando involves Recife as a result of he has a son, Fernando (Enzo Nunez), who’s being raised by his maternal grandparents.
Fernando is obsessive about Jaws, however is clearly too younger to observe it. When Armando asks why he cannot watch films, his grandfather (Carlos Francisco) says, “Because it provides me nightmares.” The boy replies, “But I’m already having nightmares.”
This change completely sums up the theme of the movie. Everyone feels concern on this society, and realizing who or what’s chasing you would not make you’re feeling higher or worse.
As they be taught extra concerning the businessman who holds a grudge in opposition to Armando, they uncover that this younger man was as soon as the pinnacle of a college analysis division and had obtained a patent for an invention. This highlights how deeply morally violated all areas are. Some allies attempt to rescue Armando, however the forces in opposition to him are so highly effective that each second turns into scary and also you begin ready for the ultimate battle to start.
The 1977 story is interspersed with scenes of recent historical past college students researching Armando’s story. Compared to the joke-filled gorefest of the remainder of the movie, these scenes had been so antiseptic and earnest that I could not inform what they had been meant so as to add apart from maybe giving a way that the characters’ early struggles weren’t in useless.
Moura would not do a lot to instantly get us on his facet, however it’s a stunning efficiency and we will see why he received a Golden Globe. You imagine that he is likely one of the final sincere males in Brazil, regardless that you’re conscious of his shortcomings.
The supporting forged is filled with distinctive and memorable actors, with Carlos Francisco particularly giving efficiency because the dependable father-in-law. The movie options Udo Kier’s remaining efficiency, through which he performs a Holocaust survivor tormenting a sleazy corrupt cop.
The film meanderes a bit, however it did not want 160 minutes to inform this story. This movie joins an extended checklist of latest movies with critical aspirations of working properly over two hours.
But it is a captivating movie, one that offers you an actual sense of Brazil on this period, even because the Tarantino-esque parts give it a extra common really feel.