Brazil's Oscar entry is a tense political drama that places household first

I'm nonetheless right hereWalter Salles' newest movie is in regards to the depth of feeling in an unstable and tumultuous time, and the way it rocks the boat of a seemingly steady household. The Brazilian movie is a household drama wrapped in a political story. The primary focus is Eunice Paiva (Fernanda Torres) and her 5 youngsters after her husband, Rubens (Selton Mello) - a deposed former deputy who was deposed when the Brazilian Navy Dictatorship took over - disappeared in 1971. Written by Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega, I'm nonetheless right here is an evocative and nuanced portrait of household and the lasting imprint of politics.

In 1971, Eunice and Rubens stay their greatest lives in Rio de Janeiro. They've 5 great youngsters, nice pals and are on the brink of construct a brand new home. However the Brazilian dictatorship will be certain that their lives won't ever be the identical when the navy arrives on the household residence and takes Rubens for interrogation. Eunice and certainly one of her daughters, Eliana (Luiza Kosovski) are additionally welcomed, however solely two of the three return. Rubens' disappearance alters their lives, with Eunice having to make selections she in any other case wouldn't have needed to defend and look after her youngsters.

I'm Nonetheless Here's a transferring portrait of a devastated household

Fernanda Torres' efficiency is surprisingly profound

Primarily based on a real story and the ebook by Paiva's son, Marcelo, I'm nonetheless right herethe movie is daring and takes no shortcuts to its emotional rewards. The script is nicely written and I favored that Salles and the screenwriters averted exhibiting torture and different horrible moments that Rubens should have skilled. We get hints of the political environment – claustrophobic, scary, tense – all through the movie, nevertheless it's extra of a catalyst than a dominating presence. It was a smart move to concentrate on the Paiva household and the impact - emotional and monetary - of Rubens' disappearance.

This selection leads to a movie that's rather more transferring than earlier than. I'm nonetheless right here was pushed by its occasional political thriller tendencies. The movie is usually emotionally devastating and has an distinctive building that departs from any expectations we'd have in regards to the route of the plot. Crucially, I'm nonetheless right here is a love letter to the energy and resilience of Eunice, who silently falls aside and places herself again collectively for the sake of her household.

Fernanda Torres is great in a tough position. She conveys each emotion with a lot nuance that it's essential to watch her face and physique language the whole time to actually decipher each feeling she embodies. It's a remarkably refined efficiency that elevates the movie and the simmering pressure, particularly within the first half.

I'm nonetheless right here, the ultimate scene is hopeful however pointless

After Eunice decides to maneuver her household from Rio de Janeiro, I'm nonetheless right here advances in time twice. The primary time is a welcome change and underlines how lengthy Eunice has been combating for justice on her husband's behalf. Throughout this time, the movie continues to be tinged with unhappiness, however the hope and reduction that the floods convey are so highly effective that we are able to't assist however really feel all of it alongside Eunice and her now-adult youngsters.

It's the second leap that feels just a little pointless to the general story. Though it continues to indicate the implications and the emotional impression it causes to the household and Brazil itself, it additionally slows down the movie. It's virtually as if there are two endings; each are hopeful and supply a way of closure, however the latter tries to inform us that the household is okay and nonetheless collectively. It's a scene the primary time Skip might have included with out lengthening the movie on high of its already lengthy runtime and dragging issues out longer than obligatory.

Regardless of pacing points within the final third of the movie, I'm nonetheless right here It's an evocative and chilling story that grabbed me. It's efficient in the way in which it handles the household drama and emotional core, whereas brilliantly interweaving them with compelling and infrequently harrowing political pressure. In reality, the drama highlights how politics is linked to our on a regular basis lives and treats its characters as folks first.

I'm nonetheless right here screened on the 2024 Middleburg Movie Competition and is now taking part in in theaters. The movie is 136 minutes lengthy and is rated PG-13 for thematic content material, sturdy language, drug use, smoking and temporary nudity.