A Amizade Mora ao Lado

I had to chance to see the world premiere of this film at The Toronto International Film Festival. I say "I had the chance" not just because of the bragging rights (wow! World premiere) but mostly because delightful gems like this one rarely make it to the big screens (where blockbusters with superheroes, supervillains and car chases usually make it).

The story is clever and multilayered. The simple way to look at it, the film is about an old farmer who has to sell his farm and move to the big city where he befriends an 11 years old neighbour. Going a bit deeper, one can find the difficulties facing someone accustomed to the "old (innocent? Naïve?)ways" to adapt to the "modern ways" and the impossibility of returning to what he knew and was comfortable with.

The direction is understated and spot on. The ending is brilliant (of course, not in a simplistic, Hollywood, way.) The acting - that is the interaction between the old, seemingly grumpy - but all soft inside - farmer and the 11 years old is heart warming, yet realistic.

For me, this film hit the ol' spot.

Excellent. Some of the themes are not new and the story seems to go for the easy way forward but does not. Without offering forseeable twists. Life is messy. So are these lives. But with a collected sense of humor, compassion, grit it can be made worth it, even if it is not always easy.

Sidesteps many pitfalls in the genre including unnecessary dragging on.