Three things save this movie from being, at bottom, an ordinary comedy of romance and misunderstanding. Two of them are the music and the scenery, which have already received extensive comment from others. The third is the intricate network of character relationships--romantic, professional, and familial--and for me the greatest pleasure in "Bossa Nova" lay in figuring out this network. It's not as seemingly naturalistic as the comparable web of relationships in "Magnolia", but no less satisfying a puzzle. Overall, a pleasant experience and an excellent date movie, with just enough potential heartache to accentuate the sweetness of the romance.
Review of Bossa Nova
