Bossa Nova (2000)

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:

American Abroad | Brazil | English Teacher | Internet | Soccer

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:

USA | Brazil

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:

Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars

Postcards from Rio

Most Brazilians complain that Brazilian movies only show the poverty and the arid landscapes of Northeast Brazil. I particularly think that we shouldn't conceal the sad reality of so many places in Brazil, and films like "Central Station" and "City of God" are brilliant in their own right. But we can't deny that there should be more Brazilian movies out there showing all the beauty from this country, and "Bossa Nova" is one of those rare movies.

Director Bruno Barreto ("Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands") doesn't try to start a socio-political speech here. He cast his own wife Amy Irving as a charming American lady who teaches English in Rio, and falls in love with one of her students, a lawyer played by mature leading man Antonio Fagundes. Barreto's intention was to make a romantic comedy in Rio de Janeiro, dedicated to/inspired by Tom Jobim and François Truffaut. Not an art-house flick, not an Oscar movie. Just an enjoyable love story with great music and beautiful landscapes. And he succeeded. Far from being a masterpiece, "Bossa Nova" is a lovely film that should be seen by anyone who'd like to spend some pleasant 95 minutes, watching a not so popular (at least, not as it should be) side of this unique country. 7.5/10.