Eunice Paiva must attempt to project her family when her husband Rubens is taken during the tightening grup of military dictatorship in Brazil 1971.
Rubens Paiva was a former congressman and was rather outspoken against Brazil’s newly insituted military dictatorship and was suddenly taken from his home in Rio de Janeiro by government officials, not allowing any of his family to then leave the house. Until Eunice is also taken away with one of their daughters, she is subjected to daily questioning despite claiming that she does not know anything.
Before this we are shown how happy the children were and spending time on the beach and in the sea near the family home which can only highlight just how what was about to rip the family apart would could as such a shock.
The film is a slow burner that’s for sure, but still manages to be so powerful although I was left slightly disappointed that we did not see more of the second act and how Eunice used the situation to change her life and fight for truth surrounding her husbands death as well as that of others, making big changes. I would really have enjoyed seeing how she fought that adversity thrust upon them.
The whole film is carried and about Fernanda Torres’ performance, honestly she is so outstanding for every single second she is on screen. Everything about her just demands attention and that is what we given as a viewer.
I have to admit in the final act I wasn’t sure if they had used CGI/make up to age Fernanda Torres but as it turns out the older version of the character was played by her mother Fernanda Montenegro which totally explains why it looked so much like her! Another thing about that final act, it felt a good way to bring everything together with the news piece on the TV.
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