Lábios Sem beijos

This movie is worth seeing if only to witness a Rio de Janeiro that truly does not exist anymore. It was already a big city then, but it does not look that way for us today, and the beaches are all changed, too. For us it might be a light romantic comedy of some 70 years in the past. It is certainly a joy, and quite funny at times, and easy to watch. But, in 1930, this movie was considered not suitable for the ladies in Brazil. I guess I can understand.

The authorities probably figured that, upon seeing these rich girls that seem to be doing nothing but flirt and go to dancing parties all day long, women in Brazil would flock to Rio de Janeiro to let it loose! In the end, it is your regular love story, but it does seem to condone sex before marriage, as long as it is just a couple of days before the proposal!

Lelita is a wealthy and rebel young woman, who meets the stranger Paulo Morano in a cab, and after an initial resistance, she falls in love with him. Meanwhile, her younger sister Didi tells her that she has an infatuation with a man called Paulo. Lelita believes that Paulo is cheating her with her sister and she breaks with him. Later, she realizes that her sister is dating indeed a homonymous and she committed a mistake with her boyfriend.

"Lábios Sem Beijos" is a very silly and dated melodramatic romance in 2005. However, in 1930, this movie was completely aligned with the latest tendencies, visibly inspired in "Berlin: Die Sinfonie der Großstadt". The narrative begins showing the wonderful city of Rio de Janeiro in 1930, and there many external scenes. The characters are presented as part of a big city. This movie would be filmed by the screenplay writer Adhemar Gonzaga, inclusive some shootings were made by him. But for some unexplained reason, the direction ended in the hands of Humberto Mauro. My vote is six.

Title (Brazil): "Lábios Sme Beijos" ("Lips Without Kisses")