Wolfram My Writing Reviews Film 45th SFIFF The Trespasser

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The Trespasser

The Trespasser is story of drugs, infidelity, betrayal, murder, jealousy -- what else do you need? The Portuguese hip hop musical montage of San Pablo is an incredible window into Brazil - and some of these scenes are a very redeeming quality of the film for an American audience. Otherwise, the film has all the depth of a music video or a slash film.

If you like to watch movies where the bad guys win -- this is it. The main characters, tough successful contractors of San Paulo overshadow their beautiful women, who are shallow minor parts or, one could even say, set dressing. The blown out super grain, the needless handheld, the muted colors, the jump cuts, the moving zooming camera work -- it all adds up to give the film it's look -- a soft porno look.

The actors do well. Anisio, a professional killer, stands out as a twitchy psycho who reminded me of Robert DiNero in taxi driver. But Anisio also gets tied up with the daughter of one of the main characters, so it starts feeling like DiNero in Cape Fear. In any case, Anisio was well played by Paulo Miklos.

In the techno club, the film maker is able to reproduce quite well the distorted visual effects of being on ecstasy. That and the "in your face" lyrics of the hip hop, and the gut wrenching suspense of the story almost makes this film worth seeing.

Credits:
Country: Brazil
Year: 2001
Run Time: 97 minutes
Cast: Alexandre Borges, Malu Mader, Paulo Miklos, Marco Ricca, Mariana Ximenes, Chris Cuoto
Producer: Renato Ciasca, Bianca Villar
Editor: Manga Campion
Cinematographer: Toca Seabra
Screenwriter: Marçal Aquino, Beto Brant, Renato Ciasca

This Film Was Viewed at the 45th San Francisco International Film Festival