Quanto Dura o Amor?

Despite exploring controversial themes such as lesbianism, transsexualism and prostitution, the film does not delve into relationships as much as it could. The sensual scenes are well produced, the photography is impeccable, and the film has an absolutely poetic lyricism. Maria Clara Spinelli as Suzana, who won international awards for this film (and in 2023, she became the first transsexual actress to star in a production on Brazilian open TV), plays strong and inspiring characters in an underused, enjoyable and slow plot.

Three characters in search of someone to love share an address in the troubled heart of São Paulo. Newly arrived from the countryside, aspiring actress Marina dives into the city's seductive nightlife without calculating the risks. Lawyer Suzana experiences a promising passion, but keeps a secret that could change everything. Romantic Jay, a forgotten writer, tries to find a way into a heart that is difficult to access. Between elevators and overpasses, bumps and stumbles, they will discover how long love lasts.

The aspirant actress Marina (Sílvia Lourenço) leaves the countryside and her boyfriend Caio (Sérgio Guizé) for an audition for "Uncle Vanya" in São Paulo. She shares the rent of the apartment of Caio's friend, the lawyer Suzana (Maria Clara Spinelli), in Avenida Paulista and befriends the lonely writer Jay Machado (Fábio Herford) in the playground. Marina goes to the concert of the bisexual singer Justine (Danni Carlo) in a bar nearby her home. On the next day, they have one night stand and Marina has an infatuation for Justine. Meanwhile Suzana's dates her colleague Gil (Gustavo Machado) that falls in love with her. The needy Jay wants a solid relationship with the whore Michelle (Leilah Moreno) but the slut is only interested on the payment in exchange for sexual relations. A couple of days later, Suzana discloses her past to Caio and her revelation affects their romance. Marina learns how Justine is connected to Nuno (Paulo Vilhena). Jay is rejected by Michelle and her pimp.

"Quanto Dura o Amor?" tells three melancholic love stories of people in search of love in the environment of the cold São Paulo. The screenplay entwines the romances of two young artists – a singer and an actress; a writer and a prostitute; and a woman with a surprising past and an associate lawyer. The débutant Maria Clara Spinelli and the Brazilian singer Danni Carlos (listen to her in the Youtube) have awesome performances, maybe due to the tight direction of Roberto Moreira. The rest of the cast is also excellent, but they are experienced actors and actresses therefore there is no surprises in the wonderful performances. This film is another example of the top-notch Brazilian cinema that is capable to produce little gems like this one based on the outstanding stories, screenplays, directors and casts without special effects and limited to very low-budgets. My vote is eight.

Title (Brazil): "Quanto Dura o Amor?" ("How Long Love Lasts?")