Reviews

Fernanda Torres caused an upset when she won a Golden Globe for I’m Still Here in January, but now audiences can finally see the film, they’ll be able to understand why she deserved the award.

Set in 1971 during the military dictatorship in Brazil, Walter Salles’ film tells the true story of former congressman Rubens Paiva (Selton Mello) and his wife Eunice (Torres).

One day in January 1971, mysterious men show up at their home and arrest Rubens and the family never see him again. Eunice spends the subsequent years campaigning for answers over her husband’s forced disappearance all while trying to raise their five children and make her own money.

Foreign-language films are rarely nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars and I’m Still Here is the first Brazilian film to do so, which is a huge sign of its quality.

While it’s unlikely to win the night’s top prize, Torres is a real contender for Best Actress for her acclaimed performance as the strong and resilient Eunice. Her idyllic life is turned upside down, nobody is giving her answers and she has to maintain a home without any money. Torres conveys this state of stress and torment, all while putting on a brave face for her children.

She’s not the only outstanding cast member. Mello plays Rubens as a lovely family man, while the child actors convincingly behave like siblings. In particular, Luiza Kosovski impresses as their teenage daughter Eliana, who knows too much and has to shoulder the burden as well.

This film is extremely rich and well-written and it’s hard to wrap your head around the fact it’s based on a true story.

However, it outstays its welcome by jumping ahead to 1996 and 2014 to catch us up with the Paiva family at the end. These weren’t necessary and it would have been more impactful if the film ended in the 1970s.

I’m Still Here is a poignant and thought-provoking story with a heartbreaking performance from Torres. It’s seriously worth a watch.

In cinemas from Friday 21st February.

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