Customer Reviews

God Is Brazilian

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie, God is Brazilian, is one of the best films of the year. In the story, God wishes to take a break from managing the
Earth, and comes to Brazil to find a holy man to replace him for
a short time, while he enjoys the stars and alternate universes.
God meets several individuals on his "road trip" through
Brazil to find this saint, and discusses his views on miracles,
death, love, devotion, and faith. However, the movie is a comedy and turns out to be both theologically intriguing as well
as "extremely funny" at times. I know of nothing like this
film and it far surpasses any American film which tries to
take a comical view of theological concerns. I cannot recommend it enough for those interested in religion or comedy.

This movie is not the movie "Bye Bye Brazil" is, but I really enjoyed it. I enjoyed it for two reasons. First, I have seen "BBB" and I can put the two in context. (There is a great visual gag involving satellite dishes that connects to "BBB") Second, I have lived in Brazil. I know where Carlos Diegues is coming from.
I think Brazilians really believe God is Brazilian. After all, Brazil is Paradise. God's frustration, expressed in this movie, is Brazil's frustration. As emphasized in the movie, Brazil does not suffer from hurricanes, tidal waves, earthquakes, etc. It suffers from people. Yet, this movie does not get bogged down in despair. It's Brazilian! And Brazilian optimism reigns! Despite the misery of the human condition, God's beauty and love make it all worthwhile!
Watch this movie, but see "Bye Bye Brazil" first.

God needs a holiday. And God happens to be Brazilian. The solution? He travels (mostly on foot) across a portion of Brazil searching for a man he hopes to make a saint who will take his place while he goes on holiday. While God, played by the incomparable Antonio Fagundes, takes this road trip, he is accompanied by Taoca played by Wagner Moura and Mada, played by Paloma Duarte. The theological conversations between God and Taoca alone are worth the price of admission. Genuine questions are asked and answered sometimes with exasperation and mostly with a degree of humor. And a sidebar benefit - we are treated to a travelogue of beautiful Brazil!

This is a warm, upbeat, optimistic story and I can't think of a better person to play God. Mr. Fagundes is a superb actor. I am glad I bought the DVD - it's a gem of a movie.





What an absolute gem of a movie.

Well, there's a number of famous Brazilian soap opera stars in this movie, so to me it promised to be a fun. In addition, the movie's main idea of God going on a vacation is very intriguing. But the realization turned to be unexpectedly poor to my mind.
First, the dialogues and behaviour of the characters are strange and illogical. You just keep asking yourself, 'What's going on?'
Second, the acting of Wagner Moura who performed well in 'O Caminho das Nuvens' is unrealistic here. I believe that this part just didn't go well with him.
Third, the movie is much about relationship between God and people. It's good, but the way it was shown here is very controversial, even for a comedy. Plus, it makes the movie a bit serious.
And fourth, the film doesn't have a lot of a comedy, it seems more like an overplayed drama.
I would recommend renting it first. Better buy 'Bossa Nova', 'O Caminho das Nuvens' and 'City of God'.

I hadn't seen any Brazilian films before I saw the dark but powerful "City of God." "God is Brazilian" was very different emotionally, but no less creative and thought-provoking.

God is eager to go on vacation, and needs to leave Creation in the hands of a caretaker saint while he goes roaming the galaxy. While Brazil is one of the most religious (read: Roman Catholic) countries on Earth, it has never had one of its natives recognized as a saint. God has come to South America's largest country disguised as a native to try to find someone who might be a likely candidate for sainthood: an overachieving young man named "Quinca das Mulas."

Of course, God needs some human help as he journeys through the Brazilian countryside... but his companions are certainly no angels themselves.

The most prominent theme of this film is the constantly-evolving relationship between God and somewhat wayward humanity. The character of Taoca (Wagner Moura) exemplifies different aspects of that relationship. His brash but likeable character chides and argues with God along their journey. He's somewhat religious and yet - confronted with the Almighty - is hardly afraid to put in his "dois centavos" on various topics. His attempts to use psychoanalysis on God were hilarious. Antonio Fagundes made an excellent, cranky old God who was not without a sense of humor. The lovely Paloma Duarte was great as the troubled Mada.

The colorful backdrops of the Brazilian countryside certainly enhanced this film. It was interesting to see parts of Brazil that foreign visitors to Rio or Sao Paulo rarely ever venture to.

What would happen if God wanted to take a vacation? Brazilian director Carlos Diegues plays with that idea in "God is Brazilian". The results are good, but far from excellent...

"God" (played by Antonio Fagundes) decides to take a vacation from the constant nagging of mankind, but first needs to find a replacement. He has settled for a Brazilian man, and has decided to make him a saint. The real problem will be finding him, something that "God" will try to do with the help of a somewhat selfish young man, Taoca (Wagner Moura), and a beautiful woman, Mada (Paloma Duarte).

"God" will visit many different places in Brazil, and the spectator will be able to glimpse at least some of the many stunning natural beauties that country has to offer. It is also quite engaging to hear "God" talking about life, death and religion, and reacting to what surrounds him in Brazil.

I believe that you might enjoy this film if you rent it, because it has some good scenes that will probably make you laugh. On the other hand, I would not recommend you to buy it, because it doesn t really live up to its promise.

Belen Alcat

God Is Brazilian is a good movie. It's not great and isnt one of Brazil's best movies. The acting is ok, but it could be more comical. One plus is that the movie shows another side on Brazil, the northeast.

I'm from Brasil and I really liked this movie, its not too heavy and still delivers the message. God comes into human form (as Brasilian) to find a substitute to take his place so he may go on vacation but, they must find this specific guy God has in mind. The challenge is to find this guy and while doing so meet several funny characters along the way.

I liked the movie but it wasn't the best Brazilian movie I've seen. I like Brazilian movies that show the positive side of Brazilian culture.