O Vendedor de Passados (2015) Reviews

• An Original and Witty Tale for Believers of Love

  claudio_carvalho2017-08-09

  Vicente (Lázaro Ramos) is a man that was raised by his stepfather and stepmother but he does not know anything about his origins. He creates pasts for troubled people as a means of living the same way he has invented different stories about how his foster parents have adopted him. When a mysterious woman (Alinne Moraes) arrives at his home office, she asks him to create the story of her life without giving any information about her. Vicente creates the character Clara Ortega and two months later, he gives her past and they have one night stand. Clara vanishes during the night and Vicente does not see her again. Months later, Vicente sees Clara interviewed on the TV News about the self-biographic book she will release with her story. Vicente goes to the bookstore to meet Clara and has a cold reception. Whar will happen next? "O Vendedor de Passados" (meaning "The Seller of Pasts") is a Brazilian low-budget film with an original and witty tale about a man that creates pasts for clients and himself. The story and the screenplay are very well written and the viewer will never know what has really happen to Vicente and Clara. Lázaro Ramos and Alinne Moraes have great performances and the Brazilian DVD has English subtitles. My vote is seven. Title (Brazil): "O Vendedor de Passados" ("The Seller of Pasts")

• Cannot be deemed a masterpiece but worth watching

  devanirg2015-09-27

  I was originally attracted to this movie by the unusual plot (never heard of another movie dealing with someone's past before) and thought that it would be some sort of sci-fi movie but I was pleasantly surprised that it is not. The script is not error prone. The movie does lacks rhythm at times. However, Lazaro is a superb actor and Alinne does her job very well too. In summary, it is well worth the short (~1h) plot - after disregarding the countless producers, supporting companies and everyone else that just takes forever at the beginning of every Brazilian movie. As a Brazilian I just feel like I'm paying for it every time I watch a Brazilian movie (and as a matter of fact myself and most Brazilians are, as many of these supporters are state companies or banks). Nevertheless I just felt that money was well spent in this one.