Here's a truly good Brazilian forgotten film of the 1980's that has quality acting, decent story and relevant to current audiences to understand the duality
of manking when it comes to follow an ideology, their own paths in life and the choices one must make to strive and survive in a world that keeps changing every
minute. Rodolfo Brandão's only film as director "Dedé Mamata" (first name is the main character and the last name is a Brazilian term that translates as
dishonest gain) is a fine example of great cinema of the 1980's in Brazil which combines entertaining elements with historical/political moments that reveals
our nation as we were back in that decade and somewhat what we still are in current days. We haven't changed one iota 30 years later.
Background: Dedé hardly knew his parents since their were revolutionary oppposed to the military regime in the late 1960's. Living with his senile
grandfather the young Dedé (played by Guilherme Fontes) is somewhat connected with those communists comrades since they're loyal to his father cause and they send him
money or ask him to provide him a safe place to stay since they're still persecuted by the military. At the same time he provides all those things, he feels inclined
to a certain sense of freedom, power and money due to his connections with a friend (Marcos Palmeira), an acquaintance of a top drug dealer (Luiz Fernando Guimarâes)
who asks him to join him in his ventures to get lots of money. Different life styles and ideologies, Dedé is trapped in what side to choose and whom to protect and
defend: the family's side who is opposed to the Capitalism side of thing or enjoying the benefits money can bring and fulfill in his life. Parallel to that, comes the women
in his life: a new neighbor who falls for him (played by Malu Mader) and a college girl interested in him (played by Iara Jamra).
Brandão's film is a nice example of presenting a conflicting character who is torn between different ideologies, thoughts, lifestyle and also the possibilites of whom to
choose between friendships and love; dealing with politics without being much didatic and concerning about our reality back in a time when we were crawling after 21 years of
miliaries in power; so it was a time to speak about our anguish and expectations after harsh years of censorship, problems and silence in all communications against our powers
of be. All we know is that Dedé is opposed to them in all ways not just because of his family story but also because he's a rebel who doesn't have a job, uses drugs and isn't
seen as an example figure to the regime and can be easily spotted if he does something wrong as usual when it comes to youth. Fontes plays this guy with a great flair just as he
did previously as the sax player in "Um Trem para as Estrelas" (1987). He's convincing, naive but also carrying some intelligence, trying to find ways out to solve his problems or
more interested in his books than in having a nice moment with a girl.
Quarells with the film...well, there was some. It lacks in some bite, more thrilling events happening to the main character or some great jabs on the regime - but a powerful
moment comes when his grandfather on the wheelchair while getting a night out admires a new color TV on the store gets an excited reaction even though he doesn't talk or move at all is
a masterful example of a powerful scene (a Comunist veteran who admires the grace of Capitalism power). The romance thing between Dedé and the girls is quite weak in parts, isn't
challenging enough for the viewers in believing in it. Yet, those are minor complaints from this reviewer. For the most part, I've find this a nostalgic film, a testament of an era
that was really well acted by all the young talents of its period, and veterans like Tonico Pereira and Paulo Betti (who plays Dedé's father in flashbacks). There's good magic in this. 8/10
