Right off the bat we see on the first frame that the film is dedicated to Antonio Carlos Jobim and Francois Truffaut. An easy-flowing piece with samba music accompanying the main course, it's simply wonderful and effortless to consume. The story and parallel plots may be predictable, but that did not get in the way of enjoying this movie. It's definitely entertaining: drama, romance, the ups and downs of man-woman relationships -- even included a cyberspace courtship, along with the mistaken identity and comedy of errors, the audience can swing along with Jobim tunes, hum along and cruise along on this ride with Amy Irving leading as Mary Ann, directed by husband Bruno Barreto ("Dona Flor and her two husbands" 1978). The supporting Brazilian cast is just as colorful: Brazil's leading man Antonio Fagundes as Pedro the admirer, Debra Bloch as the wife, Giovanna Antonelli as Sharon the youthful assistant, Alexandre Borges as Acacio the soccer star, Drica Moraes as Nadine and U.S.'s Stephen Tobolowsky ("Groundhog Day" 1993 opposite Bill Murray). At times almost feels like a dash of Almodovar sentiments sprinkled for spice. If you want a "filmic" vacation and have a relaxing romp, go see BOSSA NOVA -- even the credit roll is with bright colored swish and swashes animated to the music tempo scored by Eumir Deodato.
Review of Bossa Nova
