Good Manners – As Boas Maneiras (2017)

Directed by: Marco Dutra, Juliana Rojas | 135 minutes | fantasy, horror | Actors: Isabel Zuaa, Marjorie Estiano, Miguel Lobo, Cida Moreira, Andréa Marquee, Felipe Kenji, Nina Medeiros, Neusa Velasco, Gilda Nomacce, Eduardo Gomes, Hugo Villavicenzio, Adriana Mendonça

There are uncomfortable pregnancies. There are complicated pregnancies. There are also pregnancies like that of the beautiful rich Ana in the Brazilian genre mix ‘Good Manners’. In this combination of horror, drama, love film, musical and modern fairytale, we get to know the heavily pregnant Ana when she hires the Afro-Brazilian Clara as a new domestic help. This Clara has just as much of a mysterious past as her new employer, an employer who has an unprecedented appetite for fresh meat during her pregnancy and who occasionally sleeps.

‘Good Manners’ is a film in which you, as a reviewer, prefer to leave the plot alone, so that the viewer can be fully surprised. What you do want to say something about are the qualities of this curio. Such as the fantastic acting of Marjorie Estiano (Ana), who turns her character into a woman who is as haughty as it is childishly innocent. A woman with the natural arrogance of someone who was born in a rich environment, but at the same time with the overflowing energy (and the accompanying chronic boredom) of a young modern girl. Also a woman who is overflowing with sensuality and who even throws out a super sexy dance when she is heavily pregnant.

Another plus is the style. The film is bathed in warm light and bright Brazilian colors, sometimes reminding us of Almodovár’s older work. In addition, the film has many atmospheric images of the metropolis of Sao Paolo, whereby for a change we mainly focus on the less poor part of this city.

The genre mix is ​​also more than successful. The main part is social drama, but the film also contains a lot of horror and a bit of animation. And when you really don’t expect it, one of the main characters bursts into song. Precisely because the atmosphere and style are so consistent, those genre jumps never feel forced and they do not infringe that consistency.

The only thing that ‘Good Manners’ lacks is emotional bonding. Precisely because the makers focus entirely on story, style, form and beauty, the emotional development of the characters falls short and thus the emotional bond with the viewer. Because that bond is missing, the film is also less exciting than it could have been. But don’t let this be an excuse to skip this wizardry horror drama. Sensual, amusing and highly original.