Lisbela and the Prisoner

Before anything, I must say that in despite of the fact that I'm Brazilian, I usually don't like Brazilian movies. They are poor and weak. But this one surprise me.

Technically the movie it's a crap. In both, the script and the scenes in self.

But the plot is involving and fun. The performance of actors was very very good and the timing was perfect. One thing that this movie is not is boring. It was fun and really was able of catch my attention all over it.

Still, one thing bother me huge time on the plot: For God's sake, the state of Espirito Santo it's NOT on Northeast! Wake up dudes! The movie was pretty nice, but watch out for the littles holes on the plot. In this case, a HUGE mistake.

I give 5 from 10 to this movie.

Affective catharsis in every scene

The emotion, feeling, and affection that this film conveys is simply a masterpiece. Marco Nanini is simply phenomenal, in particular, but all the actors are fantastic. The script is incredible, gripping from beginning to end, and the metalanguage is delightful, in a comedy that leaves us enchanted with Brazilian cinema. Seeking our Brazilianness in Alagoas in contrast to Rio de Janeiro is also a powerful aesthetic of the film that turns the story into a myth that transcends our history and involves us once again in a temporal plot. Lisbela and the Prisoner is a recommended film in all its aspects, but mainly, it takes us to a catharsis of our bland and forgotten existence, remembered in each frame that affects us.

Having seen other movies by Guel Arraes, I thought this felt a little too long. He has not used the great Selton Mello to his full potential, and therefore the movie suffers a little. It was a very funny movie, don't get me wrong, but it could be shorter, more to the point. The scenes from the old movies, IMO, instead of helping the storytelling ended up boring the audience. It is definitely worth watching, if for nothing else then for Selton Mello's acting.

Lisbela e o Prisioneiro is a good comedy, it will certainly make you have a very good time when you see it. However, this movie is downsized by two factors: it looks like a made-for-TV feature and Débora Falabella, who plays Lisbela, is not convincing, even with the awful accent she tries to speak. The rest of the cast is excellent, a very good team of actors with an outstanding comedic timing. The screenplay (from a play by Osman Lins) has astonishing metalinguistic ideas and inserts several little black-and-white movies inside the movie, as the soundtrack is very vibrating. Quite good. 7/10

Once again Guel Arraes and Jorge Furtado did it !

Lisbela e o Prisioneiro tells a story in the fifties of a young girl that loves american movies and a trevelling popular artist. Lisbela dreams with hollywood love stories and her story goes like this. Lisbela shows to the audience all movies clichés, but it doesn't mind, the audience loves clichés.

Smart dialogues, fast editing (more than 2200 cuts) and superb acting makes this film a real enjoyment for everyone.

Highly recommended