Aquarius

A Brazilian music critic (Sônia Braga) is the last resident to live in an apartment building. A developer has bought all the other flats and wants to knock the place down, so they keep trying to push her out by all means possible.

An ode to the power of objects - books, records, pictures, places - and the unique ability they have to bring back memories and emotions within us. As a bit of a homebody myself this was more like a horror film about someone’s life being destroyed, even though Aquarius doesn’t play out that way at all.

The whole film hinges on Braga’s masterful lead performance, a fiery lady getting on a little in years who shows decency, grace and intelligence in the face of corruption and bullying. She’s not just a stereotypical ‘strong old lady’ though. Mendonça Filho makes a point of making her a real person, someone who hurts people, someone who is sexually attractive (and active).

It’s not quite a flashy David and Goliath showdown but the main plot beats are all there, right down to the final confrontation with the developers.

A gentle, beautiful film that I fell in love with.