"Nobody Belongs to Anyone" deals with the themes of obsession, jealousy, the feeling of possession and how those issues can interfere in a
marriage, and how causes of the spiritual world and past lives have a part on the earthly plan. Adapted from Zíbia Gasparetto's novel, the film
follows the precepts of the Spiritism and their views on the matters of life and death, that ultimately is generating a series of good films on the
topic, attracting believers and non-believers. Gladly, it was a decent result with some cliche problems, specially when it comes to similar themed
films and series. It doesn't escape from sentimentality, but it serves enlightning purposes that audiences can reflect upon.
Two couples are tangled in a web of lies, deceit and jealousy that affect their relationship, creating a series of suspicious and danger. Lawyer Gabriela (Carol Castro) is married to contractor Roberto (Danton Mello), a man with trusting issues who controls his wife in a terrible
manner; and when her boss Renato (Rocco Pitanga) promotes her to a partnership position in the lawyer firm things take a wild turn as Roberto
believes she's having an affair with him, a sentiment echoed by Renato's wife Gioconda (Paloma Bernardi), an even more possessive figure than
Gabriela's husband. From that, the suspicious spouses make their plans to separate a couple that doesn't exist, creating hell on their professional
and personal lives. False accusations, rumour spreading and even marital abuse is part of the game, to which Gabriela and Renato don't know how to react.
Like many projects on the topic, it basically tells us that the serious and complicated relationships we have come from a past live, a different
and unknown source to us that might be revealed to us someday. There's suffering until correction of past mistakes come along, living and learning. Soap opera "A Viagem" greatly dealt with that, and most recently "Nada É por Acaso" film as well. It's up to audiences to embrace the karma-like idea,
or reject it. My little skepticism comes from the usual idea of seeing the previous life situation as being 19th century, as if there's a communication
link of 100 years or so, not beyond.
Won't say I was fully involved with it because the cliches and repetition of events were a little too much at times. But there's plenty of
qualities that made it a rewarding experience such as the visual effects during transitional events after tragedy sets in (we are easily reminded
of "Ghost" in those moments); Danton Mello's surprisingly great performance as the possessive husband, a very hateful character; and Rocco is always
enjoyable to watch. I couldn't buy Carol Castro as a lawyer (that hairdo, really), and Paloma was a little over-the-top as the bossy wife, but both hit some good notes
in the more serious moments. Stepan Nercessian's cameo as a private detective brings a little humor to the tense scenario.
Outside of the afterlife department, it's a film that serves a purpose for people analyze their relationships, to be open and honest about
what they want from it all, and what's to avoid when it comes to feelings of jealousy and possession. To reminds us that the "belonging" to one
another is a temporary thing, and if you love somebody set them free. 7/10.
