Written and directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, The Secret Agent, a tense drama, covers a pivotal time in Brazilian politics and features a strong performance by its lead, Wagner Moura.
It’s 1977 somewhere in Brazil, the government is authoritarian and a mysterious man named Armando (Moura) arrives and assumes the identity of Marcello. He comes to see his young son, Fernando and settles with friendly townspeople in a seemingly idyllic life. Armando, whose background is slowly revealed, is widowed and assigned to the identity card office, when there is news of a human leg found in a shark which shocks the community. Things get more complicated and dangerous with a corrupt police force and two assassins on his trail as he has a price on his head. Years later, a female journalist reviews his life and interviews a grown Fernando, now a doctor, about his father.
The movie title might be a bit misleading in that the film has nothing to do with espionage and spies but functions as a political thriller. Divided into several chapters, it has an almost raw documentary feel in the way it is shot not unlike a film from the 1970s. In addition to signs of an oppressive regime, there is an immediacy that lends a stark reality to every scene (similar to City of God). It also has a slow build up and may appear to be somewhat confusing in its narrative structure with its edits that flash forward and back in the timeline.
This
Brazilian film is heavy on atmosphere
and authenticity with Moura registering as a man trying to escape his past
and rekindle the relationship with his son.
Expect bigger things in the future from both he and Filho.
****
of ***** stars Amazon Prime
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