Bossa Nova (2000)

User Rating:

6.5/10   

Director:

Bruno Barreto

Writers:

Alexandre Machado (writer)
Sérgio Sant'Anna (story)

Release Date:

31 March 2000 (Brazil)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance | Drama

Tagline:

The difference between "amor" and "love".

Plot:

Rio lawyer Pedro Paulo is recently separated from his travel agent wife Tania. His office has taken on an energetic new intern...

Plot Keywords:

Internet | Soccer | Teacher | American Abroad | Copacabana

Awards:

3 nominations

Cast

Amy Irving	...	Mary Ann Simpson
Antônio Fagundes	...	Pedro Paulo
Alexandre Borges	...	Acácio
Débora Bloch	...	Tânia
Drica Moraes	...	Nadine
Giovanna Antonelli	...	Sharon
Rogério Cardoso	...	Vermont
Sérgio Loroza	...	Gordo
Flávio São Thiago	...	Peçanha
Alberto de Mendoza	...	Juan
Pedro Cardoso	...	Roberto
Stephen Tobolowsky	...	Trevor
Kazuo Matsui	...	Wan-Kim-Lau
Cássia Linhares	...	Reporter
Kate Lyra	...	English School Receptionist

Also Known As:

Miss Simpson (Brazil) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language and some sexual content.

Runtime:

95 min

Country:

Brazil | USA

Language:

Portuguese | English | French | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Malaysia:18SX (uncut version) | Malaysia:U (cut version) | Argentina:Atp | Chile:TE | France:U | Germany:o.Al. | Norway:A | Spain:13 | Switzerland:12 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:12 (canton of Vaud) | UK:15 | USA:R | Iceland:L

Filming Locations:

Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Company:

Columbia Pictures Television

Soundtrack:

Juan's Theme

Made me want to take off my sandals and stroll on the beach

Let's be honest. Bossa Nova is not a heavy weight film. Nor does it pretend to be. That's its core charm. A bit frothy, yes, but leaves a sweet aftertaste that happily lingers for days.

I hadn't seen Amy Irving (Mary Ann) in quite a while and was glad to see her in this film. Her timid interplay with Faguendes (Pedro Paul) was sweet and touching. I enjoyed watching their love story unfold. Faguendes is obviously a well-known, beloved actor in his home country. It's the first time I've seen his work and I can see why he's so popular.

But there's plenty more to take note of. Watching Faguendes' family ties nearly unravel is almost heartbreaking at times. To see three generations is almost unheard of in today's movies. I was pleased to see it.

The other subplots are equally fun. The soon-to-be exported Brazilian soccer player's quest to learn how to curse in English is hilarious. And watching the girl dream of her online "boyfriend" is something many of us can relate to. Not to mention the soulful longing of the young man (Pedro Paul's son)who wants her but isn't brave enough to state his case.

All this plays out against an almost idyllic backdrop of sand dunes, towering mountains, charming cafes and crashing surf. Sure, it may not be the entire face of Rio but would you want to see the sewers in New York City? I doubt it. I've never been to Rio but this movie had me dreamily considering it.

Jobim's music, by the way, is the perfect choice. Like sunlight on water...