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Performances are remarkably open-handed, as these people live by the rules but are beginning to wonder why. As Prabha, Kusruti is respectable but feels a gnawing emptiness in her straight-arrow personal life. By comparison, Prabha's Anu is living large, even if it gives her a bad reputation. What she really wants is a serious relationship with Haroon's likeable Shiaz. Their scenes are remarkably sweet and tender. And as Parvaty, Kadam brings a sparky inner frustration bourne from years of subtle injustice.

Even side roles have a strong impact, including a man (Sami) who nearly drowns in the final act and a teenager (Limaye) in his own bubble in a beachside cafe. It's painful to see how these three women are feeling stuck in their lives, but the way they casually impact each other is lovely to watch, sparking change simply because of their compassion and empathy. And in the end the film empowers us to consider if we're where we should be.

themes, sexuality

24.Oct.24

The film's design is traditional anime, but director Yamada overlights it beautifully, creating a glowing aura that echoes how Totsuko sees the world. There's also an eye-catching use of textures and angles that bring imagery to life in fresh and original ways. This helps even the smaller side roles to become more distinct, including Sister Hiyoshiko (Aragaki), a teacher who understands Totsuko more than she knows, and Kimi's knowing grandmother (Toda).

As this teen band begins expressing itself through song, the film is also able to introduce several styles of music, leading up to their first gig at the school Valentine's party. Like these three kids, their music is a mix of genres, moving from a rock-n-roll banger to an arty ballad and a full on disco anthem. This allows the movie to become a celebration of how it's often necessary to break the rules to find the truth about who you are and which tribe you fit in.

themes

20.Oct.24 lff

In the focal role, Torres gives a remarkably nuanced performance. Eunice is quiet and tenacious, and we can see her deeper emotions just under the surface, as well as her determination to protect her children. Each member of this boisterous extended family feels thoroughly authentic, which leads to a series of unusually lively parties in which, like most of these gatherings in real-life, we're unsure just how everyone is connected, but it's clear they are. And in the story's epilogue, the great Montenegro gives Eunice a luminous edge.

While there's plenty of tension and outrage woven throughout this film, you wouldn't call it a thriller. Instead, Salles' measured approach puts this horrific chapter in Brazil's history in the context of how it affects living, breathing people. This not only highlights just how insidious these events were, but it adds a thoroughly chilling resonance as we witness the global rise of right-wing authoritarian power today. Facing up to what happened in the past has never felt so urgent.

themes, language, violence

21.Oct.24