Listonixio Fresh and Exciting

ShangLuda Admirable film.

FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Jonah Abbott There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.

valis1949 THE MAN OF THE YEAR, directed by Jose Henrique Fonseca, is a peculiar addition to the Vigilante Film Genre. Set in a poor section of Rio de Janeiro, Maiquel is a man without direction, who murders a thug over an insult, becomes a hero in the community, and then morphs into a kind of 'Killer For Hire'. This populist gunman becomes the darling of the local business class who immediately realize his value as a protector of their interests. Usually films of this nature explore the justification for the anti-hero's actions, and show how his violent behavior changes his character. However, in this film the protagonist seems to be driven by indifference--he kills without compunction and doesn't have the slightest trace of a moral compass. Although Christianity is referenced numerous times by various characters in the film, THE MAN OF THE YEAR is really an exploration of a man who feels nothing when he kills, and is incapable of feeling guilt. Máiquel shows more emotion when his pet pig, Bill, is killed than when he guns down defenseless men. It's interesting to note that none of his killings are fair, or even justifiable-all of them are executions, and most of them are not even his idea. Maybe the director is trying to say that in the wretched favela of Rio, a horribly cruel system of justice is better than none at all.

MartinHafer Some who love this film will probably give me some "not helpful" votes for this review because I think this film isn't for most people. However, I really feel I must warn everyone up front that this movie, though well made, is also very unpleasant and probably NOT a film for most people--particularly not for kids and those who dislike very violent films.The main character is at first pretty likable. He very reluctantly kills someone and feels awful about it. However, inexplicably, instead of being punished, he's congratulated and given present by his neighbors. It seemed the victim was a thug and the police seemed unable or unwilling to deal with him. Because of this positive notoriety, the "nice guy" is then approached to kill more "bad people"--as he'd be doing the community a favor and making a few bucks in the process! However, because he is still, at heart, a decent guy, he begins using drugs to cope with the guilt and very quickly the man isn't nice at all and the line between him and his targets becomes very blurred until he is the sort of person that people would pay someone to kill.It's a very good film about the effects of violence on the perpetrator and it's very interesting to see him lose his soul. However, remember that this is a very violent film. There is a lot of blood, though it didn't seem especially gratuitous--but after all, the film is about contract killings. Also, the acting, writing and production were all very good.This film is set in Brazil and it's yet another film that the Brazilian Tourist Board probably wishes they could make disappear! That's because many of the recent films from this nation that have made it to America have painted a horrific picture about life in their big cities (especially Rio and Sao Paulo). CITY OF GOD is about drug lords and lawlessness that control the poor sections of town. CENTRAL STATION is about the homelessness problem and urban violence. And, MAN OF THE YEAR is about an assassin. Talk about scaring away tourism!! I recently talked with a man from Brazil at length about these films and he swore that this is NOT how most of the country is--it IS safe and lawlessness isn't everywhere. However, after seeing these three films I am still pretty wary about visiting this beautiful nation.Overall--recommended with some reservations.

freakyfreak05 ...and my x-girlfriend and that guy that bumped into me on the train. he was a cool, young, good looking dangerous guy and climbing to the top of a Brazilian ghetto. it was amazing how all the people swarmed around him, wanting to be with him, wanting to be friends, partners and lovers with the killer. it seemed like he was doing a service to the community at first, killing all these bad people. but quickly turned into a gun for hire. the only sign that he had feelings was displayed upon his pet pig and look what happened to him. if a guy like this enters your life...things will go really good for you for a time, but you'll be guaranteeing yourself a premature death too. and god bless the beautiful woman of Brazil. i still can't figure out who is prettier, Claudia abreu or Natalia lage. this is the first film i got through Film Movement. it's so cool to get these indies delivered to my house. i liked this movie a lot. i got to see a part of Brazil i will never know in real life.

sasnow I'm not sure just where in the USA this Brazilian film has been released but I'm grateful that it came to my small city...I saw "City of God" and was mesmerized by its raw power and its characters struggling with their sordid lives of hopelessness. But "The Man of the Year" I had to see twice. Everything about this film appealed to me. Murilo Benicio as Maiquel is nothing less than brilliant as a quiet middle class loser - vain, smug, angry, brooding, thoughtful, remorseful, duped, and with a special fondness for a baby pig that is handed him as a gift. Many twists and turns of fate cause his life to take on dimensions similar to a Greek tragedy. The two women in his life are equally well-cast, along with just about everyone in the entire film. Maiquel struggles with two jealous women, life-long friendships, and along with his new job as a hit-man, he has more than enough to keep him brooding, on edge, questioning his actions, his fate. I could sense his desperation in every scene. And always, you empathize with him.What made this movie especially powerful for me was the way it was filmed. I read that it is the first movie of director Jose Enrique Fonseca - this man has a real future! The beginning panorama of Rio at night, Murilo's apartment and the pet shop, the wedding, a dose of religion, the final round of killings, the Rave - these and other scenes were filmed with such beauty and panache, propelling the plot with momentum, vigor, color, even tenderness as the Murilo's life changes bigtime. There are touches of humor - being in the dentist's chair, bathing a baby pig, ranting about the pitfalls of marriage. The musical score added immensely to the film, and the camera angles and overall cinematography were expert.Here's to filmmakers from Brazil, Mexico, and other countries in Central and South America! I hope this film has a wide release, it deserves it.