The Man Who Copied (2003)

Dreadfully Boring

A different way of telling a story

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

O homem que copiava (The man who copied)- 2003 - Brazil - Director: Jorge Furtado - Genre: Drama/Comedy - Stars: Lázaro Ramos, Leandra Leal, Luana Piovani e Pedro CardosoThis movie involves some conflicts experienced by André (Lázaro Ramos) a young shy and humble Brazilian who works in a copier to help his mother. They live together in a simple apartment in Porto Alegre, located in southern Brazil. The fact of moving away from the big centers in Brazil - São Paulo and Rio - is one of the interesting points that the film presents.André is very shy, and therefore an observer. He has binoculars to watch from afar what is happening around him. His neighbor Silvia (Leandra Leal)receives special attention in his observations. He knows whole her routine: she lives with her father and works in a clothing store. He decides to buy a gift for his mother, to get closer to Silvia, or at least to try, Silvia suggests a nightshirt, but this costs R$ 38.00 and André doesn't have the money.Lack of money is a big problem in his life, which can be seen already in the first scene of the movie. To buy the nightshirt he decides to make a copy of a note of R$ 50.00. From there the whole plot unfolds in an entertaining way. André approach Silvia, moreover, together with his friend Cardoso (Pedro Cardoso) he decides to steal an armored car and even wins the lottery. In other words, he gets what he wanted: money, lots of money.The film is narrated by André himself, which leads us to get an idea of how he perceives things, sees the world and his particularities. Perhaps there is some ambiguity in the title of this film, André, the man who copied leads a repetitive and somewhat dull life: his days are like copies, nothing happens, nothing changes, just the same thing, every day; and for him a little money would make all the difference in his life.This is the second feature film directed by Jorge Furtado, who was born in the city where the film is set. Furtado had directed several works for television, but it was with this film that his name became known. The story holds the attention because we hope and cheer for André to get what he wants. Moreover, it shows the difficulties of those living with little money, making some critique to the social inequality in Brazil. Winner of several film festivals around the world, highly recommended and successful in Brazil and outside also, it's a very interesting story to think about money and happiness.

I watched this film enjoying every moment until the last 20 minutes or so. Why did the script and pace twist so much, I really couldn't get it. The sympathetic, lovable characters turned into killers and robbers too fast. And for what purpose? It was a naive, touching script which shifted to a crime text in an absurd way. We witnessed every small detail of the main character's simple life in a very beautiful way for more than 3/4 of the film but everything got an unbelievable and shallow pace suddenly and I was left for wondering why he did this and that without any clue.I would have recommend it to anyone and regard it as a masterpiece but unfortunately it's only a nice film for me now, after the terrible last quarter.

I'm a bit suspect to talk about this movie because it was shot in the city where I live (André, the main character, appears working in the same supermarket in which i usually go and I've already been in the stationery where he also worked) and the editor was my teacher at the University (I study journalism). The best thing about this movie, I guess, is that it has a lot of references and even though it's completely original. It's also hard to say if it's a romance, a thriller, a drama, a comedy, actually it has a bit of everything! The acting is quite good and considering that none of the main actors are from the South, their "gaucho" accent is pretty good. The characters are common people, but, when exposed to extreme situations, they become special, just like everyone. Besides the plot, this movie was extremely well directed and edited (I know I'm suspect, but I had to say it). Anyway, I've never heard about someone who didn't like this movie. I bought the DVD and took it to Australia and all my friends there liked it, so I think it's appealing to everyone, no matter where you are from, so, if you're not Brazilian, look for the DVD, coz it's really worth-seeing.

This movie has it all - adventure, crime, romance, friendship, humor. It's surprising - you newer know what's going to happen next, you're kept in suspense. It's personal and heartfelt without being tepid and pink.The characters are very realistic and they make very fine, well balanced portraits. And it's a movie that can make you think a lot, if you want to - you can also choose just to hop on board and follow the flow of this journey.Great ending! - I admit, I'm a weak sucker for an ending like that! :) This is a tenner! 10/10