User reviews

The career of Tonino Cervi took him from producing the films of Bertoclucci, Fellini and Antonioni to penning nunsploitation fare to making his own genre outings (from Spaghetti Westerns to Gothic horror to saucy comedies); the film under review is easily the least of his works that I have watched so far. A cross between BLACK ORPHEUS (1958; an overrated 'classic' I was never too fond of in the first place) and the Broadway musical A CHORUS LINE, this would-be existentialist piece of erotica with fantasy elements is an indigestible brew that pits a young Roman businessman (David Brandon) on the verge of bankruptcy who goes to Rio in search of finance and eventually gets sucked into (obviously enough) the Carnival festivities and the allures of the current singing sensation (Tania Alves). The latter is a sort of angelic presence (with a dancing shaman for a mother no less!) who gives her body freely to virtually everyone who needs it – from her besotted theatrical director (who we are told grew up with her), casual acquaintances in Brazilian night-spots and, naturally, our unsympathetic hero. Alternating between unintentionally amusing bouts of steamy sex, interminable musical numbers and even philosophical discussions between Brandon and his equally stranded Italian waiter (Paolo Bonacelli), the film's limited appeal lies squarely in the frequently naked form of Miss Alves...who, incongruously enough (given her 'mission' in life), gets to make up with Brandon on a beach at sunset – after one too many screaming match – for the finale!

This is not a run of the mill fast paced pseudo-skin flick where mindless erotics and clever repartee move the characters from one scene to another. So if you're into snappy dialog and quick step action this is not likely to be the movie for you. The relationship between the two main characters is thought provoking and the script is intelligently written. The no-fault sensuality of female lead, Regina, while being uninhibited and earthy is, at the same time, uplifting and ultimately moral. And the complexity of the male lead, Luca, is in itself enough to raise this movie above the ordinary venue of similar efforts. However, this being a low to moderate budget film, the production values are not the best that money could buy, and the characters are not as fully developed as one would wish—leaving you wanting for more. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this mostly excellent movie, especially for mature minded couples who enjoy thinking while being entertained.

I liked this movie. As many commenter's have already brought out, the movie is just a little slow. Also, the sights and sounds of Rio could have been a little more prominent in the movie. Much of the movie scenes was indoors. The girls performing in the memorable samba scenes were excellent, however, not long enough. Much more of the carnival (carnaval) scene should have been added to the movie. I will still rent this movie occasionally (despite the old African religious scenes). All of the characters in the story were believable, which is essential in any movie. It got kind of 'corny' when Regina stopped the music during the performance of the musical, and made her statement about 'people forgetting how to love', but I forgave her due to the rest of her performance. I will watch it again.

"Sole Nudo" (Nude Sun) has nice filming scenery and an interesting premise, but the pacing is about as fast as a two toed sloth!

Plot revolves around Luca Adami whom lives in Italy and he is in financial woe. He decides to turn to his old friend De Bernardi who fled to Rio de Janeiro to escape jail and live a life of crime. He arranges to meet him in Rio, but once in Rio, De Bernardi's secretary inform him of the impossibility of the meeting. Luca arranges for a room in an inn where first he finds a brand new gun, second the waiter seems to be a wise mentor of some sort and third he receives a visitor, a girl saying she very curious about him.

Mabye if pacing were not so slow and padded out, I would have liked it more....