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Good Manners (2017) by Juliana Rojas, Marco Dutra: A Genre-Bending Brazilian Fairytale of Motherhood and Monsters

  • Writer: dailyentertainment95
    dailyentertainment95
  • Jul 31
  • 8 min read

Short Summary: A Nanny, a Pregnant Woman, and a Werewolf Baby Good Manners is a unique and acclaimed Brazilian horror-fantasy drama that begins as a slow-burn social commentary and develops into a genre-defying fable. It follows Clara, a lonely nurse hired as a live-in nanny by the mysterious, wealthy, and pregnant Ana. Their unexpected bond deepens amidst strange occurrences surrounding Ana's pregnancy, culminating in a shocking birth and a radical shift in the film's narrative. The second half transforms into a tender, yet challenging, tale of adoptive motherhood as Clara raises Ana's secret werewolf child, exploring themes of class, race, identity, and unconditional love against the vibrant backdrop of São Paulo.

Detailed Summary: Two Parts, One Extraordinary Story Good Manners is a film of two distinct halves, seamlessly blending social realism with fantastical horror.

  • Part One: The Pregnancy and the Secret. Clara (Isabél Zuaa), a lonely Black nurse from the outskirts of São Paulo, is desperate for work and takes a job as a live-in nanny for Ana (Marjorie Estiano), a wealthy, secretive, and pregnant white woman. Despite their class and racial differences, and Ana's initially cold demeanor, a complex and intimate bond (which evolves into a romantic and sexual relationship) forms between them. Clara notices Ana's strange behaviors, particularly her insatiable cravings for raw meat and sleepwalking during full moons, hinting at a supernatural secret. Ana is estranged from her wealthy family, who had disowned her after she refused to abort the child conceived from an affair.

  • The Fateful Night: On a full moon, as Ana's pregnancy reaches its climax, her condition worsens dramatically. The baby is born violently, tearing its way out of Ana, killing her. What emerges is a werewolf pup.

  • Part Two: Raising Joel. Clara, despite her initial horror and attempt to abandon the infant, has a change of heart and decides to raise the baby, whom she names Joel (Miguel Lobo). The film then fast-forwards seven years. Clara is now working as a nurse, and Joel is a charming, sweet-natured boy, but she secretly chains him in a "Little Bedroom" during full moons to protect him and others from his transformations. Joel is largely unaware of his true nature.

  • Unveiling the Truth: When an unsuspecting neighbor gives Joel meat, his instincts are triggered. As he grows older, Joel begins to question his identity and the mystery surrounding his birth. He uncovers a photo of Ana, leading to a confrontation with Clara, who reluctantly reveals that Ana is his birth mother. Joel, curious about his father, investigates, leading him and his friend Mauricio to get trapped in a shopping mall during a full moon. Joel transforms and tragically devours Mauricio.

  • The Climax and Resolution: Joel returns home, still in partial wolf form, and their landlady discovers his secret, seeking to "exorcise" him. Clara defends Joel, even shooting him in the leg to prevent him from harming others, and decides she can no longer keep him confined and hungry. As angry locals gather outside, Clara and Joel prepare to face the world together, embracing their bond and his true nature.

Directors' Vision: Blending Genres for Social Commentary Juliana Rojas and Marco Dutra, a collaborative duo known for their distinctive style, bring a highly ambitious and layered vision to Good Manners.

  • Their primary aim is to blend seemingly disparate genres—social realist drama, gothic horror, dark fairytale, musical, and romantic melodrama—to create a unique cinematic experience.

  • They use the fantastical elements, particularly the werewolf motif, as a metaphor for societal anxieties and marginalized identities in Brazil, specifically exploring themes of class, race, and sexuality.

  • The film is divided into two distinct parts not just narratively, but also stylistically, with the first half being more grounded and the second embracing the fantastical, but always with an underlying realism to the emotional core.

  • They employ a dreamlike aesthetic, using impressive matte paintings for São Paulo's skyline and traditional monster movie tropes, while maintaining a deeply human and empathetic approach to their characters.

  • The directors explore motherhood in its rawest, most challenging forms, emphasizing the unconditional love and sacrifice involved, even when raising a "monster."

  • They aimed for a deliberate pace, allowing characters and themes to unfold slowly, particularly in the first half, before the dramatic genre shift.

Themes: Motherhood, Class, Race, Identity, and Otherness Good Manners is rich with complex and interlocking themes.

  • Motherhood and Sacrifice: The film deeply explores the multifaceted nature of motherhood, from the biological to the adoptive, highlighting the immense sacrifices, challenges, and unconditional love involved in raising a child, especially one who is "other."

  • Class and Social Division: The stark contrast between Clara's humble background and Ana's wealth highlights São Paulo's social stratification and the dynamics of employer-employee relationships, often with racial undertones.

  • Race and Identity: Clara's identity as a Black woman raising a white werewolf child subtly explores themes of racial difference, belonging, and prejudice in Brazilian society.

  • Otherness and Acceptance: Joel's werewolf nature serves as a powerful metaphor for being an "outsider" or "monster" in society, and the film examines the struggle for acceptance and self-acceptance.

  • Ambiguous Relationships: The film delves into the complexities of love, desire, and codependency, particularly in the relationship between Clara and Ana, and later between Clara and Joel.

  • Body Horror and Transformation: The physical transformations and visceral nature of Joel's condition speak to themes of the monstrous body and the struggle between human and primal instincts.

Key Success Factors: Bold Artistic Vision and Critical Acclaim The film's success stems from its ambitious artistic vision and its ability to seamlessly weave diverse elements.

  • Genre-Bending Originality: Its unique blend of social drama, horror, fantasy, and musical elements sets it apart.

  • Strong Performances: Isabél Zuaa as Clara is consistently praised for her nuanced and empathetic portrayal, anchoring the film. Marjorie Estiano also delivers a memorable performance as Ana.

  • Rich Thematic Depth: The film's exploration of class, race, gender, and motherhood underpins its fantastical elements, giving it significant substance.

  • Distinctive Visual Style: The use of traditional filmmaking techniques (matte paintings, practical effects) combined with a unique aesthetic contributes to its "gothic fairytale" feel.

  • International Festival Success: Its premiere at Locarno and subsequent wins and selections at major festivals worldwide demonstrate its broad appeal to discerning audiences and critics.

Awards and Nominations: Highly Decorated in the Festival Circuit Good Manners received substantial recognition and awards from prestigious film festivals and critics' associations.

  • Locarno International Film Festival 2017:

    • Winner: Special Jury Prize

  • Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival 2017:

    • Winner: Best Film

    • Winner: Best Supporting Actress (Marjorie Estiano)

    • Winner: Best Cinematography (Rui Poças)

    • Winner: FIPRESCI Award (International Federation of Film Critics)

    • Winner: Felix Award for Best LGBTQ Film

  • Sitges International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia 2017:

    • Winner: Critics' Jury Award

    • Winner: Blood Window Special Mention for Best Actress (Isabél Zuaa)

  • Austin Fantastic Fest 2017:

    • Winner: Jury Special Mention

  • Prêmio Guarani (Brazil's equivalent to the Academy Awards):

    • 6 Wins (including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress for Isabél Zuaa, Best Supporting Actress for Marjorie Estiano)

    • 13 Nominations

  • Other selections at Busan IFF, BFI London Film Festival, AFI Fest, and more.

Critics Reception: "Wondrously Weird" and "Ingeniously Inventive" Critics largely celebrated Good Manners for its audacity and originality, despite acknowledging its unconventional structure.

  • Metacritic (73/100, Generally Favorable): Based on 11 critic reviews, with 82% positive, 9% mixed, and 9% negative.

  • Variety: Called it "a flagship for Brazil's auteur genre cinema" and a "tribute to the enduring near supernatural power of maternal love."

  • The New York Times: Described it as "wondrously weird and a skosh too long... Swerving from predictable to confounding, dreamy to demented, artful to awkward, this genre-twisting hybrid from Juliana Rojas and Marco Dutra links art house and slaughterhouse with unexpected success."

  • The A.V. Club: Noted that while the transformation into an "arty horror movie" was unexpected, it "offers pleasures of its own."

  • The Hollywood Reporter: Found the first hour "the strongest, graced as it is by Estiano's nuanced performance."

  • Film Inquiry: While acknowledging it's a "flawed narrative," called it having "a good heart and powerful message at its core." They noted that the "soggy bits weigh down an otherwise interesting concept."

  • Overall Summary: Critics were generally enthralled by the film's ambition, its unique blend of genres, and its rich thematic content. While some found the tonal shift or pacing uneven, the overwhelming consensus was that it's a bold, original, and thought-provoking piece of cinema.

Reviews: Cult Following for a One-of-a-Kind Experience Audience reviews generally align with critical reception, though some find the genre shifts challenging.

  • Many viewers are captivated by the film's originality and its refusal to fit into a neat box.

  • The emotional core of Clara's devotion to Joel resonates deeply with audiences.

  • Those expecting a straightforward horror film might be surprised by its dramatic and social commentary elements, while those seeking art-house cinema might be surprised by its explicit horror.

  • IMDb User Rating: 6.7/10 based on over 8,000 ratings, indicating a solid and positive reception from a broader audience.

  • Overall Summary: Reviews confirm its status as a cult favorite, praised for its unique vision, powerful themes, and memorable characters, even if its unconventional nature isn't for everyone.

Why to watch this movie: For a Truly Original and Thought-Provoking Film Good Manners is a compelling watch for viewers who:

  • Love Genre-Bending Cinema: If you enjoy films that defy categorization and blend different styles (horror, fantasy, drama, romance, musical).

  • Appreciate Social Commentary: The film uses its fantastical elements to explore real-world issues of class, race, and motherhood in Brazil.

  • Seek Unique Storytelling: Its two-part structure and unexpected turns make it an unpredictable and engaging experience.

  • Are Interested in Motherhood in its Rawest Form: It offers a tender yet unflinching look at the challenges and unconditional love of raising a child, particularly one who is "different."

  • Enjoy Visually Distinctive Films: The blend of practical effects, matte paintings, and a unique aesthetic creates a memorable visual world.

What Movie Trend film is following: Social Horror / Arthouse Horror / New Brazilian Cinema Good Manners is a prime example of Social Horror and Arthouse Horror, which use genre elements to critique societal issues. It also represents the flourishing New Brazilian Cinema, known for its bold narratives, political consciousness, and genre experimentation. The film's use of fantastical elements as allegory for real-world problems (e.g., the "monster" representing marginalized groups or suppressed desires) is characteristic of this trend.

What Big Social Trend is following: Intersectional Identity & Marginalization / The Shifting Landscape of Motherhood Good Manners deeply engages with the social trend of intersectional identity and marginalization, specifically within the context of Latin American societies. It uses the supernatural elements to explore how individuals (like Clara, a Black woman from a poor background, and Joel, the "othered" werewolf child) navigate societal prejudices and power dynamics based on race, class, and perceived "normalcy." Simultaneously, it speaks to the shifting landscape of motherhood, moving beyond traditional biological definitions to examine the profound love and challenges of adoptive parenting and the sacrifices made for a child, particularly in unconventional circumstances. It's a powerful statement on acceptance and finding a chosen family in a world that often rejects difference.

Final Verdict: A Masterful, Unforgettable, and Deeply Human Monster Movie Juliana Rojas and Marco Dutra's Good Manners is an extraordinary and truly original film that defies easy categorization. What begins as a compelling social drama seamlessly transforms into a unique gothic horror fairytale, all while maintaining a profound emotional core. It's a testament to the power of genre to explore complex themes of class, race, identity, and the unconditional love of motherhood in a way that is both entertaining and deeply thought-provoking. With its stunning visuals, unforgettable characters, and a narrative that will keep you guessing, Good Manners is a masterful piece of cinema that has rightly earned its place as a contemporary cult classic and an essential watch for fans of intelligent, unconventional filmmaking.


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