Bossa Nova (2000)

Many movies have tried to weave a web of coincidences and quirky characters into a satisfying tale of love, but few of them succeed. Bossa Nova, directed with a deft touch and acted with simplicity and genuine charm, pulls it off. Mary Ann (Amy Irving) is an American teaching English in Rio de Janeiro; her husband died years before and she has given up on love. Lawyer Pedro (Antonio Fagundes) is in the middle of a sticky divorce and wants his wife back, but when he sees Mary Ann in the hallway outside her language school, he is instantly smitten and starts taking her class. Meanwhile, another student of Mary Ann's is having an affair over the Internet; Pedro's brother falls in love with Pedro's headstrong new intern; and there's the soccer star who's taking lessons from Mary Ann so that he can join a team in Manchester. Bossa Nova has a relaxed, smooth flow, not unlike the music it's named after. The ways the characters' lives start to interlock would be preposterous if it weren't so gracefully developed--every crossed path seems unforced and natural. The romance manages to be sweet and realistic, a mixture of swooning and melancholy. Irving and Fagundes are wonderful, particularly because they aren't callow youngsters but people who've experienced some hard knocks and yet continue on. All in all, a delight. --Bret Fetzer Amazon.com

Very enjoyable

Except for some regrettable lapses into melodrama, this movie captures extremely well the spirit of Rio de Janeiro, and also provides a believable romance between the Brazilian Antônio Fagundes and the American Amy Irving. Recommended. December 12, 2007

Easy to watch.

This movie is very easy to watch. It doesn' get to be hilarious but it is somewhat funny. The language barrier is what makes the movie funny in a way. Overall it's your tipical guy-gets-the-girl, girl-gets-the-guy in the end type of thing but it's worth watching because the breath taking views of Rio de Janeiro will remind you that the place is still amazing regardless of poverty or violence. January 9, 2007

Bossa Nova

This is a delightful film set in a magnificently beautiful Rio. Add the beat of the Samba, love, and wonderful characters and you have an experience that just makes you feel good. It is the kind of movie you can watch over and over. January 3, 2007

Immerse yourself!

I have read several reviews on this movie and frankly I think some of these people should get over themselves! This was a charming, funny and thoroughly watchable movie that takes you away from your everyday life and immerses you in the wonder that is love and Rio de Janeiro. Many people have issues with the fact that this movie shows a fairytale Rio without favelas and crime - how many movies do you see of Paris without dog poo and rudeness or London without drizzle or New York without crime - many! This is a romantic comedy and serves Rio and its actors beautifully. As someone who loves Rio in all its aspects, I was happy to see a positive side of Brazilian life rather than a gritty, depressing 'real life' scenario. Yes, favelas a real but there are millions of people in Rio who don't live in them! We see enough of the sad side of Brazilian life, every so often it is good to show the positives. Relax, take off your reality meter and wallow in the gorgeousness that is Rio, Antonio Fagundes and this sweet and funny story. June 1, 2006

little gems

This was a film that was in Theaters for about two minutes and then found its way to VHS/DVD. Finally. It is truly an under-rated romantic comedy that I have found (because I seem to make everyone I know watch this) to appeal to many different people of many different ages. It isn't the most original film in the world but it is well-made. Aspects of the story are like a screw-ball comedy from the thirties and other times it is a little melancholy with the right touch of longing and it addresses that oh so universal theme of trying to find that 'someone'.
It is just a simple story of two lonely people trying to meet and each time there are distractions of other people trying to meet as well and facing dreary sides of potential love.
The soundtrack matches many of the moments of film perfectly; right down to the lyrics being sung in particular scene where two of the characters meet at the most inopportune moment.
It is obvious to see why the director dedicated the film to Antonio Carlos "Tom" Jobim and Francois Truffaut. The inspirations from both artists are apparent and it seems like this is a Valentine to both the men and to the director's wife (the lead character) Amy Irving.
This is a film that isn't going to bring out any new surprises or insights into the human psyche. It is a small little snap-shot of a lovely moment.
"Bossa Nova" is like the genre of music. Swingy, breezy, casual, sensual and delightful.
December 9, 2004

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