Buddies (2012) User Reviews

Buddies - The movie

[folhetimvirtual · 10/10 · 3 April 2013]

Buddies (Colegas): Three funny and competent actors with Down syndrome, who interpret Stalone, Annie and Rudy, the film also features a great cast as Lima Duarte, Marco Luque, Juliana Didone, Otavio Mesquita, a curious impersonator of Raul Seixas and with several young Down syndrome in the supporting cast.

Biggest winner of the last Gramado Film Festival (Best Film, Best Art Direction and Special Jury Prize), the film Buddies lives up to the awards and the public good in theaters: With narration by Lima Duarte, excellent soundtrack Raul Seixas , good script, direction and competent actors, the Road Movie (very reminiscent of the magic and charm of the first films of Trapalhões, early in his career) entertains and moves viewers. One of the highlights of the film (at least here in the south) is to see the protagonists on the road, crossing Brazil by Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul with his red Karmann Ghia in pursuit of their dreams. Simple things like seeing the sea, fly and marry becomes strong and striking in memory of all who attend this adventure ... An inspiring story of friendship, love and hope, that it will bring good things in the future. (Who knows, an Oscar nomination in 2014, and the first Brazilian Oscar ...)

Sean Penn has already given its support to Ariel. Let's see if they repeat the hug, a day at the Oscars.

Good idea, weak execution

[poisondragon · 2/10 · 31 January 2021]

The idea is great, a mainstream movie where the main cast represent diversity, but the long monologues, weird plot and the whole motivation of the trio being abandoned mid trip makes thia a nonsentical movie.

just because the main cast has down syndrome doesn't mean anything you put on the screen will be a good movie.

Amazing!

[dayana_dalloul · 10/10 · 3 April 2013]

An AMAZING work of art. This movie is proof that we are all the same, and we all have dreams, and we all deserve to be taken seriously, even if what we do is just a little bit crazy. It's important to state that this film is not about down kids and it's value has nothing to do with the fact that it's lead actors are special, but it IS a remarkable step not only for our national industry, but for the whole cinema world. It's not everyone that can be a good performer, but a great performance can come from anyone. I literally laughed out loud and I also cried and felt heartbroken. THIS is whats a good movie does. It takes us to another land and shows us that we should never fear imagination. So congratulations to all the creators. I am not only a student majoring in cinema, but also my little brother, my angel, has that extra chromosome. And I'm proud of this accomplishment and proud of being a part of it, even if it was just by buying the ticket and having a blast.

It's so bad it cringes

[ella_kelbert · 4/10 · 13 August 2023]

I'm Brazilian so it pains me to say that this is one of the worst movies I've ever seen.

The story is very weak and has a lot of plot holes.

There are actors with and without Down syndrome. The ones who don't have it are the worse actors.

The production is very poor, dialogs are silly, jokes don't work.

Narrator Lima Duarte speaks like he's talking to kids, very condescending. Also many times people with down syndrome are portrayed as stupid.

I had to watch it in a family gathering and it was painful the whole time.

Only good thing is the music theme with Brazilian rock star Raul Seixas songs, and also some international footages.

Someone said in a review here that it was like a Wes Anderson movie. It's not.

I guess rates 10 are from people that are Down syndrome friendly? Unfortunately it's not enough to make a good movie.

Wonderful Wes Anderson-esque Magical Realism

[jcmcgee · 9/10 · 2 January 2015]

A great little movie...funny and heartwarming.

It feels like a movie Wes Anderson has been trying to make for a long time. I'm not sure if "less self-conscious" is the right word, because the movie is self-conscious, it knows what it is and where it's going and it's not embarrassed by this fact.... if Wes could just relax a bit he would return to being as great as this movie is. Wes Anderson fans will love it!

I recommend it for everyone....and if you're learning Portuguese, it's a double gem due to the simple dialogue and clear narration.

I think if there had been a Star Wars reference in the movie, I'd have given it a 10! (If I missed one please let me know!)