Aquarius
Vitagraph Films | Release Date: October 14, 2016
8.4
USER SCORE
Universal acclaim based on 114 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
93
Mixed:
19
Negative:
2
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
9
alexdamacenoOct 17, 2016
Here in Brazil we're used to separate "movies" from "Brazilian movies" - because of our ongoing struggle with low quality productions and all its cliches. In most cases, the comedies are often silly and an extension of our unfunny TVHere in Brazil we're used to separate "movies" from "Brazilian movies" - because of our ongoing struggle with low quality productions and all its cliches. In most cases, the comedies are often silly and an extension of our unfunny TV productions. And dramas usually portrays either violence at the favelas or some sad, also violent story, taking place at a very poor part of our northeast area.

"Aquarius" throws away all these cliches and it's just a great movie, period. Not a great Brazilian movie, but a great universal movie, telling a very compelling story about our society as a whole, with all its characteristics and, mostly, its flaws. And in its core it's a story about how part of our elite usually behaves and how the other part (who doesn't care about being elite) reacts.… Expand
5 of 5 users found this helpful50
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10
MARCIOTREOct 14, 2016
An experience! Nothing in this movie must be forgotten: narrative, soundtrack and, of course, Sonia Braga. It is my best movie this year. So far. WOW!!
3 of 3 users found this helpful30
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9
GFactorOct 20, 2016
Infelizmente um dos melhores filmes do ano que será injustiçado e não concorrerá ao Oscar por motivos políticos, muito triste! Sônia Braga prova mais uma vez seu poder como atriz! Elenco, roteiro, fotografia e direção, impecável!
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
VGabrielAug 7, 2017
Aquarius é um daqueles filmes que levam a pensar sobre o presente. Sonia Braga é esplêndida. Não há trilha sonora original, porém é exatamente esse o foco do filme, se abraçar na MPB brasileira e descrever as cenas com riquíssimos detalhes. ÉAquarius é um daqueles filmes que levam a pensar sobre o presente. Sonia Braga é esplêndida. Não há trilha sonora original, porém é exatamente esse o foco do filme, se abraçar na MPB brasileira e descrever as cenas com riquíssimos detalhes. É um filme inesquecível.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
VGabrielLMSep 26, 2017
Sonia Braga é a alma desse filme, merecia um Oscar viu academia cotada. Felizmente rainha vai dominar tudo ai nos estrangeiro, Sonia Braga meu amor, aceitem,. Buy Joanne on iTunes!
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
DudleiOct 21, 2016
"Aquarius" is one of those masterpieces that, weeks after you have seen the movie, still haunts you. Every little detail in the movie is so well built and important. Nothing is useless here.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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7
LeZeeNov 4, 2017
Home is where all the memories preserved.

I have to start the review by mentioning the recent year Russian film 'Durak', also known as 'The Fool' in English. In the same year, another similar themed Russian film, 'Leviathan' got nominatedHome is where all the memories preserved.

I have to start the review by mentioning the recent year Russian film 'Durak', also known as 'The Fool' in English. In the same year, another similar themed Russian film, 'Leviathan' got nominated for the Oscars. What those both films highlighted were not just the corruptions, but the threats the common people face. Raising voice for good against evil is still a distant for such potential country. Here comes the Brazilian version. This is not on the same level. I meant the intensity of the event, how all folds. Nevertheless, the same core issue in a different continent.

This film met with several controversies. One of them omitted it from the Oscars race. But the film was received well from all the quarters. I did not find any issue. I thought it became unfortunate victim, especially, could be because of the developers and their connection with the corrupt powerful men. It's neither a masterpiece. I just consider it a good film. A message film. But not for everyone. Particularly, it is good for grownups viewing for the reason I'll going mention later.

The story of the 65 year old Clara. Her life has been successful being a music critic. Now a widow, and all her children settled down. It opened on her birthday where all the friends and family gathered to celebrate the occasion. Living alone in a small and beautiful beach view apartment. But the thing is she's the last one who still in that old building. Everyone had left it when the developers decided to demolish it and build a modern one. She's fighting to save the heritage. All her memories lie in there. But the developers have a different plan to force her out, and that's the remaining film to unfold how and other following developments.

❝So when you like it, it's 'vintage'. If you don't like it, it's 'old'. Right?❞

The opening scene was a slight offbeat. Because right away it does not reveal who is the person of the film. Besides, some of the odd scenes in the middle would raise some eyebrows. Those were not actually the full fledged scenes, but glimpses that goes back to like the 70s or something. The idea of those parts were not properly understandable, but I think it is about missing those good times. The lone fighter concept was inspiring. At one point, when everybody around her thought that she's making an unnecessary scene out of it, she was firm on her decision and did what has to be done.

This was one of those films I did not like it on the spot. But slowly captivated. Once it's focus was fixed on one particular character, the rest of the tale set forward on what it wanted to tell us. As I understood it, it was not exactly about corruption, except a part of it was. It was the fight for ones right. A fight to save the past. On the other hand, the people from her opposite are ready to take extreme steps to defeat her. That's where it gets into the controversy. The controversy of those stupid tricks used to achieve the goal. This kind of a film coming from Brasil is really wonderful to educate poor knowledge people who easily become victims in a similar fashion.

It was a French-Brasil collaboration film. I'm reviewing it after a couple of days of my watch. Because I wanted to think about it for a while, scene by scene. The more I recall, the more I'm starting to like it. So I advise same to you as well that don't come to any conclusion just after you have watched. Because it could not be what you have heard about it. My only issue was the runtime. The 150 minutes were a too long. But manageable if you watch regularly, such slow films.

Well written, directed and acted. Even the location was ideal. But they could have avoided the those sex scenes which I earlier labelled them as odd scenes. There were too many, even camera pans out from somewhere far away in the bush. Kind of unrelated. I am not against such an idea, as human daily life filled with those. But when the theme was seriously pivoting on a serious issue, these came as distraction. Why I'm pointing out that strongly is that a fine film like this should be for all ages, even for teenagers. It missed that opportunity. Otherwise and still a nice drama film to recommend the adults.

7/10… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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9
AndremaxJul 10, 2018
Perhaps one of the best brazilian movies of all time. The direction, the actors, the art, all in this movie is amazing. Sometimes it makes us think that's not a brazilian movie. Incrível.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
Paulo_JorgeNov 5, 2016
Another masterpiece from Mendonça, such a great director. With this one, Sonia Braga gives her best, an outstanding performance in any standards. Mendonça has his original style of enriching any character, showing her personal life, herAnother masterpiece from Mendonça, such a great director. With this one, Sonia Braga gives her best, an outstanding performance in any standards. Mendonça has his original style of enriching any character, showing her personal life, her family, her fears and her desires, a build up that adds to the spectacular finish of this piece. I'm really happy to see Brazil's cinema showing up again with some great potential and some great work, well done Mendonça.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
lucaspiccoliMar 23, 2017
A masterpiece, one of the bests movies of 2016. Not only Brazil but the world is now watching Kleber Mendonca develop as an incredible director, best wishes for him. Sonia Braga is absolutely brilliant also. A lot of Hitchcock glimpses inA masterpiece, one of the bests movies of 2016. Not only Brazil but the world is now watching Kleber Mendonca develop as an incredible director, best wishes for him. Sonia Braga is absolutely brilliant also. A lot of Hitchcock glimpses in this movie, those old school cinema lovers will adore it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
wevertonaguiiarMay 22, 2018
Aquarius é um filme sobre resistência. Um filme lírico, que acompanha uma personagem que uma deformidade em um dos seios, mas isso não há impede de ser perfeita; não há impede de resistir. Tudo no filme tem uma história, e a personagem seAquarius é um filme sobre resistência. Um filme lírico, que acompanha uma personagem que uma deformidade em um dos seios, mas isso não há impede de ser perfeita; não há impede de resistir. Tudo no filme tem uma história, e a personagem se nega à deixa que estas histórias sejam desfeitas. Uma direção sensível e um elenco incrível, Aquarius é um dos melhores filmes já feitos. É uma pena que tenha sido boicotado por motivos políticos.. tiraram de nós, a chance de conquistar o nosso primeiro Oscar.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
lucianosantoroJul 2, 2020
um dos melhores filmes nacionais, deveria ser obrigatório! sonia braga mais uma vez incrível
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
febraroMay 16, 2019
Aquarius inaugura uma nova fase do cinema brasileiro. Magistral. Sentíamos saudade de tanta lucidez.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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10
pedroassugeniMay 22, 2021
Eu amei Aquarius, é um filme incrível e maduro, Sônia Braga fez uma atuação majestosa assim o Kleber fez um trabalho ótimo com a direção.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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