This movie had a strange effect on me. I understand that you have to have patience for these older art films, but I did not like this at first. I thought it was pretentious when it came to politics. Then, as the movie went on, I began to feel the anguish of the protagonist. As his life flashed before him, he understood that everything he had hoped for had come tumbling down. He was not a good person, and even though he had hope, it was not enough.

The gay undertone of the film was something that stuck out to me. Straight relationships were often depicted as transactional and abusive. The misogyny in society is an apparent cause of the symptoms of the society. Could there have ever been something better? Probably not. However, the main point is that Paulo’s relationship with his male co-worker ended due to political strife. Signifying that if things had been different, he could have had a chance at happiness. The rich in the movie make sure that does not happen.

Aside from this, the entire movie feels like a dream. I can only recall flashes of it. Popping out and saying you will die before you can do any good.