Director: Sérgio Machado
Writers: Karim Aïnouz, Sérgio Machado, Adriana Rattes, Gil Vicente Tavares
Actors: Lázaro Ramos, Wagner Moura, Alice Braga
Production Co.: Videofilmes, Buena Onda
Country: Brazil, UK
Year: 2005
Language and subtitle information: Portuguese with English, French, and Spanish subtitles.
Format: DVD
[ratings]
Summary: “A simple cruise turns into a jealous battle for the affections of a sultry prostitute as the co-owners of a small cargo boat make their way down the Brazilian coastline”–Allmovie.com.
I really enjoyed “Cidade Baixa” because of its dramatic plot and accurate portrayal of complex human relationships. It is somewhat alarming how two best friends can quickly turn into two formidable enemies. In this movie, the prostitute causes most, if not all of the drama. The protagonists’ friendship is not as important as the prostitute’s affection once she sleeps with both of them. Human need for affection and love causes all three to feel attached to each other. By the end of the movie, even the prostitute has feelings for both men.
This was a great film. The film discusses the complexities of friendship caused by the world outside and human emotions. Two friends promise that their friendship will always survive and that no woman can ever come between them. However, a prostitute asks them for a ride in exchange for sex. The two friends and the prostitute become confused by their emotions. I really enjoyed this film because it talks about the complexity of human emotions, and our inability to overcome or simply ignore them.