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Tuesday, 15 August 2006 01:11 |
Deco and Naldinho (Lazaro Ramos, Wagner Moura), two shady young co-owners of a boat in the depressed waterfront city of Salvador, are the sort of close-knit friends who, as an early scene demonstrates, will literally take a knife for each other. That bond is sorely tested by the arrival of Karinna (Braga), a sexy young blond stripper and hooker who trades them her sexual favors in return for a ride.
Needless to say, what starts out as a sexual lark -- the two men draw straws to see which one of them will be serviced first -- takes on darker overtones as they begin to compete for the fleeting affections of their new acquaintance.
From its actual and figurative scenes of *****fighting to its copious use of throbbing Brazilian music, there's little here that rises above the level of formula. But director Machado displays a sure touch in his ability to convey the sultry atmosphere of his exotic setting, and he has elicited admirably naturalistic performances from his highly attractive, youthful performers. Braga, in particular, displays the sort of sexual and powerful screen presence that should guarantee her a significant international career.
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