Variações (2019)

Variações: Directed by João Maia. With Sérgio Praia, Filipe Duarte, Victoria Guerra, Augusto Madeira. A biopic about António Variações, a famous Portuguese pop rock singer from the 80s who died from AIDS-related complications in 1984.

“A total failed attempt at film noir. All the elements were there: a masuline gruffy leading man narrating the movie (Jackman), a loyal sidekick (Newton), and the femme fatale (Ferguson). But the film was never able to gain enough traction to take flight. The storyline had potential but substandard acting and meandering plot-line left me detached and indifferent. There were a couple of plot twists but not unpredictable.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe movie had great potential with its setting of ocean flooded coastline and the technology of reminiscence as an escapism from an intolerable existence. But these futuristic concepts were not developed other then as simple underutilized background to forward an uninspired story line forward.to itu0026#39;s predicable and uninspired ending.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eI am a fan of Hugh Jackman and Thandiwe Newton. But the scene of their big argument was some of the worst acting Iu0026#39;ve seen from actors of their caliber… totally forced and unbelievable. The fight scenes were also unconvincing and the choreography was below modern movieu0026#39;s standards..u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA movie to watch when it streams or on DVD rental. But unless you are a strong Jackman fan not worth spending the money in the theater. Alternate movies might be Blade Runner (Harrison Ford) or Surogates (Bruce Willis) both of which are better movies in my opinion.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAnd to those who rate Reminiscence high and pity me for not being capable of understanding the movie, I have seen thousands and thousands of movies in my lifetime. I like movies of all genres as long as they are well crafted films. I know the difference between a great move, good move, mediocre movie, and terrible movie. I donu0026#39;t begrudge your rating of 9 or 10 so please donu0026#39;t begrudge my rating of 5.”