kaptenvideo-89875 Review of Aquarius

Aquarius (I) (2016)

So when you like it, it's vintage; when you don't like it, it's old.

[6/10 · 9 April 2017]

In two days, I have managed to see three movies about getting or being old in a row – „Going in Style", „Aftermath" and now "Aquarius". Is the universe trying to tell me something? Anyway, „Aquarius" is the only good one of the bunch. It's maybe half an hour too long and slows almost to standstill at times, so I won't give it a higher score. But for movie lovers, it's worth the time. The story is about Clara (Sonja Braga), the last resident in the old upper-class apartment house that the property company can't wait to take down. The 65 year old woman has pledged to only leave the place upon her death, and will engage in a cold war of sorts with the company. On deeper level, it's about having lost the purpose in life, which doesn't really depend on number of people or friends and family surrounding you, and how bad things can bring motivation to continue fighting. In some improtant ways, "Aquarius" is similar to this popular French movie „Elle", both released in 2016 and premieried in Cannes Film Festival. Both are about strong female character getting kind of old but still ready to continue fighting after bad things happen, and deal with extended family around her. "Elle" has Isabelle Huppert in the lead, "Aquarius" has Sonja Braga. Both are also worthy movies in their own right, although could win from being a bit shorter. But in comparison, "Elle" is flashier and offers more quick excitement, whereas "Aquarius" feels like its artsy sister. Screenwriter and director Kleber Mendonça Filho has chosen as non- flashiest approach to storytelling as possible. This works both for the movie's favor, or against it, depending on the taste of viewer. The characters, events and relationships are so real-life-like that it can alienate many viewers who will claim that „it's boring", „nothing is happening", or something along these lines. The others will, vice versa, applaud the sharpness Filho has achieved in portraying people and relationships as they would really be in life. It's an art in itself, really. Just like in „Elle", the central character and leading lady's portrayal of her gives the viewer constant joy and is easily the noteworthiest thing in the whole result (which, of course, was the goal). Sonja Braga amazes with her subtle but powerful acting especially in Clara's moments of great stress such as troubles with children, or when things with property company turn nastier. I'm not very good at describing exactly how well Braga has played out all the different shades and aspects of the woman's personality – from healthy pride that rises from knowing your worth and place in life to inflexible stubbornness, from being dead inside to still discovering lust for life in some ways. But I assure you that it's a classy work from the thespian clearly on top of her game. Sadly, „Aquarius" did not turn out to be Brazil's submission for the 2017's foreign-language Oscar race, so it may not win more international attention than it already has. But it may be worth your time if you don't mind spending time on getting to know the people on screen. „Aquarius" is not compact enough to get easy recommendation – honestly, you will test your endurance at times – but all in all, I quite liked it. Easy to like a story centred on such a strong and intelligent female character, or actress as Sonja Braga.