Customer Reviews

Orfeu

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This was a pretty well done film. Although it is not as good as the original (1959's "Orfeu Negro") it comes pretty close. I would recommend renting both this and the original to compare the two first. This version definitely appeals to a younger crowd than the older version, but it was still produced in a very tasteful, well crafted way. Also, the soundtrack to this film was quite impressive, so if you enjoy the movie be sure to check the music out as well. Unlike a lot of movie soundtracks which don't include tracks from the movie, the soundtrack to this film does a pretty good job of including the music from all the memorable scenes. Overall, this movie is definitely worth checking out.

I really wanted to like this movie. Black Orpheus is one of my favorite foreign films. First of all I liked the brilliant colors and the cinematography was spectacular. The problem I had with the film is that the actress playing Euridice gave a lackluster performance. The actress that played Mira should have played Euridice. Secondy, if you're going to bring the story into the 21st century writing is important. The film while sticking with the basic story line left out some really important components such as the macumba scene in the original. I guess modern day Brazilians aren't as spiritual as they were 45 years ago. And also it seemed that the focus was more on the violence in modern day Rio than the myth and love story. Which in my opinion took a back seat. The characters weren't the central focus of this movie. Very poor direction here. I will have to say that Toni Garrido is an exellent singer and has an immense amount of presence which was wasted in this movie.

How sadly disappointing! This film was pretty to look at, but had little merit otherwise. I have seen Black Orpheus, so a comparison is unavoidable. I was not expecting this to be (nor did I want it to be!) just like the original, and I truly enjoyed some of the additions--modern technology, a likeable character "named after Michael Jordan," and the drug/police corruption. However, this movie is pale despite the abundance of beautiful costumes and dancers. Somehow it all falls flat. The director completely missed the opportunity to contrast the life and vibrance of the carnival with the vulgarity of the slums. The acting of the two leads is uninspired and totally unconvincing--I was not moved. Two lovers of such fabled origin should be able to develop more sexual tension and romance than these did. Some of the supporting actors were enjoyable, and the photography is lush, but somehow it does not come together as a whole. The film leaves you with a lot of glitzy superficial images but no feeling of satifsfaction. See Black Orpheus instead--it will move you.

First of all... this is not Romeo and Juliet: It is based on the exquisite and tragic Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. This is a remake of the classic and ever so much better "Black Orpheus", made in 1959. If you want to see the soul of the carnival, and hear music that makes you weep, see the original. This new version is a glossy effort to update, but is so "pop" it ends up insulting the memory of the heartfelt Marcel Ophuls unmatchable classic.

Too much money... not enough soul. 2 stars for the gloss.

I discovered this movie while channel surfing in the middle of the night, and it instantly captivated me! Orfeu is a beautifully tragic love story set in the modern slums of Brazil. The movie not only serves to entertain, but it is also quite educational as it depicts the harshness and reality of life within the Brazilian slums. I gazed in amazement at the wonderfully energetic Carnival ceremony and the brilliant waves of color as the Samba schools danced in their striking costumes. I am generally not a fan of movies with subtitles, but you cannot help but fall in love with each of the characters. This DVD is definitely a collector's item and I strongly encourage you to purchase it. Simply and utterly beautiful, Orfeu promises to steal your heart.

This movie is my FAVORITE movie of all time. Its setting is in a favela in Rio de Janeiro. The setting is up to date unlike the old Orfeu. Its a romantic movie. Its about to unlikly people falling in love while trying to change the ways of people in favelas. There is an awsome carnaval scene that makes you feel like you are in it. To bad you can't jump into the movie! This movie is full of beautiful music ! This is why I had to buy the sound track with it!!!!1 I love it and I hope you do to! Don't miss this one!

You get a decent roller coaster of sights and emotions from the film. The best part of the movie for me is how the main character is forced between his mother's pagan world view, or his father's born again view. He is at the prime of his life and only wanting to have fun, but a death makes him confront his beliefs and start taking life seriously.

Director Carlos Diegues knows how to capture atmosphere with his camera and effects and when that atmosphere is the splendid garish gaudiness of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro there is plenty to entertain the eye. 'Orfeu' as a story, supposedly a re-interpretation of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth updated to current times and set in the slums (favelas) of Rio, is just not there.

The title character Orfeu (handsome and talented singer Toni Garrido) does sing and play his guitar, his playing ends the night and serenades the rising of the sun, but here he a quasi-Rap star, beloved by his townsfolk Eur?dice, and by all the women who come into his view. Eur?dice (Patr?cia Fran?a) enters his life, as she comes to Rio after the death of her parents in the provinces, and the meeting results in instant love. There is violence from the police invasions of the slums, drug lords such as Lucinho (a disastrously misused Murilo Ben?cio who happens to be one of Brazil's biggest stars), female envy from Orfeu's many ex-lovers (Isabel Fillardis, Maria Cei?a), and parental concern from Orfeu's parents Concei??o (Zez? Motta) and In?cio (Milton Gon?alves). But the story, or at least a semblance of one, gets buried in all the extravagant production of police raids and the Carnival parades: it just ends without much point - except that there is a reprise of the musical theme from 'Black Orpheus' to carry you back down memory lane.

Though the quality of acting is generally substandard by comparison to most great films out of Brazil, the style of acting is supposedly the accepted norm for the popular Brazilian novellas on television. And the sensual presence of Toni Garrido does raise the quality of the movie. But if the art of 'Black Orpheus' or Jean Cocteau's 'Orphee' is what you are expecting, this film will not satisfy. If you are looking for a colorful, splashy extravaganza about Rio during Carnival, here is your ticket! Grady Harp, April 06

I am giving this 5 stars mainly because it is so much better than the normal foreign film. Most foreign movies just don't seem to have a strong impact on the viewer. This one does! This is supposed to be an updated version of the classic "Black Orpheus". I have to say that the original really needed to be updated. The stories are similar yet there are enough differences to keep you interested. The new version is based in a favela (slum) in Rio. A new girl arrives and quickly captures the attention of a local music star that still lives in the favela called Carioca Hill. Real life music star Tony Garrido plays the music star Orpheu who is preparing to lead his local samba parade group to victory at the huge Carnaval Parade which is watched by the entire country. In addition to samba music the film features Brazilian rap and beautiful orchestra scores. The music CD alone is worth the price! Viewing this movie I thought that the love story between the two leads was incredibly moving. This movie is sad, yet happy. Many Brazilians weren't happy with the original "Black Orheus". They claimed that it was a fake portrayal of Brazil designed to boost tourism and make Brazil seem exotic. The new "Orpheu" will anger some Brazilians with it's violence and negative portrayal of the police and slum life in Brazil's notorios favelas. However this movie really made me think about how our world is and how precious life is. As a side note I should mention that one activity that is growing in popularity in Rio is a jeep tour of a favela. The tours are safe and the favela people appreciate the small yet growing income from these tours.

I did not see the original "Black Orpheus" and I am not from Brazil, but I really loved this movie. I has a lot of reality from everyday life all around the world. I got to see a side of Brazil that was wonderfull also, it was shot during he actual carnival. The colors, the shots, the music it's simply beautiful. The fact that the movie is a tragedy makes it more wonderful. I recomend it to anyone who likes to see foreign movies. I fell in love with the carnival scenes, the excitement of the Brazilians and the costumes are all so beautiful.