The Second Mother

Parental Rating: R

Contains: Language    Drug Use    Adult Content    

Jill's Review

Opens September 11, 2015

Runs 112 minutes

Val (Regina Casé) has been the live-in housekeeper and nanny for a very successful family in Sao Paulo for over 10 years. She has looked after their son Fabinho (Michel Joelsas) as if he were her own and she feels like part of the family. This has lead to some guilt on her part as she had to leave her daughter Jessica (Camila Márdila) to be raised by relatives in Northern Brazil. She always felt that this was the best choice as she was able to send money back for her daughter. When Jessica decides to sit for her college entrance exams in Sao Paulo, she chooses to live with her Mother as she prepares to take them. This tests the relationship between mother and daughter and employer and employee. The gap between the classes becomes much more evident and Val's eyes are opened to her real position in the household. Suddenly, relatinships are thrown into disarray and Val must truly decide what is best for her real family.

This is a very good movie depicting the class structure in Brazil. Val is treated as a part of the family as long as it doesn't rock the boat. When Jessica shows up, she is not as content as Val to be sleeping in a tiny room in the basement. It doesn't sit well with her that she must stay out of sight, avoid the family and keep to herself. She doesn't feel inferior but the family sure treats her that way.  This causes friction in all of the relationships. I really liked this movie. A nice look at the lives of different classes of people in Brazil. It is funny, touching and interesting. Go see it.

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