Mysteries of Lisbon (2010)
Starring Adriano Luz, Maria João Bastos, Clotilde Hesme, Afonso Pimentel, João Arrais, Albano Jerónimo, João Baptista, Martin Loizillon, Julien Alluguette, Rui Morrison, Carloto Cotta, Maria João Pinho, José Manuel Mendes, Léa Seydoux, Melvil Poupaud, Malik Zidi, Margarida Vila-Nova, Sofia Aparício, Catarina Wallenstein, André Gomes, São José Correia, Joana de Verona, Sofia Leite
IHBM6Not bad
Follows a jealous countess, a wealthy businessman, and a young orphaned boy across Portugal, France, Italy and Brazil where they connect with a variety of mysterious individuals.
My review · Reviewed 11/01/2019
This film came more or less as advertised. Beautiful scenery? You bet. Lots of stories and backstories that intermingle? You better believe it. The problem is there wasn't much beyond that (and with a four hour run time there was a whole lotta not much). Because the movie spent 90% of the time looking backwards there really wasn't much character development. Instead it was more matter-of-fact - this happened and then this happened and that lead character x to be intermingled with character y. It was a little bit frustrating because they had such beautiful sets and fine acting. It felt like someone took Gone with the Wind and put it a blender with Days of Our Lives. I get that it was supposed to be a commentary on class and one's place in society. For that run time there has to be more.
The ending was a little surprising. Still digesting that one.