Brazilian director Walter Salles, whose Central Station got an undeserved Oscar nomination a few years ago, again goes for high-flown emotionalism and tasteful depictions of poverty, with an added dose of mythic symbolism (2001). Two families have been sacrificing their sons to a generations-old feud over some Brazilian badlands, but young Tonho can’t decide whether to fulfill his family obligation or flee with two circus entertainers who conveniently turn up. The appearance of circus performers in any film not by Fellini usually bodes ill, and it does so here: every frame announces that what you’re watching is Art. In Portuguese with subtitles. 91 min.
