Aquarius

Parental Rating: No Rating

Contains: Language    Nudity    Sex    Drug Use    Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens November 11, 2016

Runs 142 minutes (subtitled)

In a bravura performance, Sonia Braga is Clara, a 65 year-old former music critic and widow living out her life in an old apartment in the upper-class, seaside Boa Viagem Avenue in Recife, Brazil. The apartment has been in her family for years and has many memories for Clara. When a company approaches her about selling her apartment, she declines. Soon, all of the other tenants have sold out and she is alone in the building. Now, a war of sorts is on as she claims the only way they can get her out is when she is dead. As they try various maneuvers to drive her from the building, she only becomes more stubborn. She is reminded daily of the past and how many things have centered around her family and this apartment and feels that giving in would be like giving up on life. Can she outlast the development company or will she finally sell out as all of her neighbors have already done?

This is a fascinating movie. Sonia Braga is terrific! As the movie unfolds, Clara and her family's story is told in bits and pieces, centering around big events that happened at this apartment. Music plays a BIG part in this film. As her character was a music critic, she has a world class collection of vinyl. Songs play important parts throughout the film, whether Clara is trying to drown out an upstairs party while playing Queen or dancing to old latin music by herself. And, apparently there are some political undertones about the rich vs. poor in Brazil. I don't know much about that - I just thought it was a little different look at life in Brazil. Overall, just a spectacular performance by Sonia Braga. Lovely music and a moving storyline. One small warning - there are several scenes of explicit nudity and sex. This movie is not meant for anyone under 18. Otherwise, well worth seeing.

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