Director: Bruno Barreto
Writers: Matthew Chapman (Screenplay) Julie Sayres (Screenplay)
Stars: Gloria Pires (Lota de Macedo Soares)
Miranda Otto ( Elizabeth Bishop)
Tracy Middendorf (Mary)
Treat Williams (Robert Lowell)
Producers: Lucy Barreto
Paula Barreto
Reviewed by Hugh and Ann Aaron
In this masterful biopic, we delve into the personal life
of one of the great American poets, Elizabeth Bishop, set
amidst the political turmoil of Brazil during the 1950s.
We learn that Elizabeth has a poor opinion of her
ability as a poet. We also learn that she may not be
interested sexually in men, which opens up the possibility
of what follows.
Because of her seeming failure as a writer, she seeks a
"vacation," spending an expected limited time with her
college friend Mary, who lives in Brazil with her lover,
Lota, a talented, self-possessed, flamboyant and politically
active architect.
of one of the great American poets, Elizabeth Bishop, set
amidst the political turmoil of Brazil during the 1950s.
We learn that Elizabeth has a poor opinion of her
ability as a poet. We also learn that she may not be
interested sexually in men, which opens up the possibility
of what follows.
Because of her seeming failure as a writer, she seeks a
"vacation," spending an expected limited time with her
college friend Mary, who lives in Brazil with her lover,
Lota, a talented, self-possessed, flamboyant and politically
active architect.
Elizabeth is immediately shy and uncomfortable in the
presence of Lota and Mary, shrinking from their
uninhibited behavior. Lota, in turn, sees Elizabeth as stiff
and cold. When Elizabeth confesses her deep insecurities
about her poetry to Lota, there develops a primal
connection between the two women. Elizabeth gradually
welcomes Lota's sexual advances, releasing her own long
repressed passion.
Lota has designed a sublime, romantic environment in
the Brazilian hinterland, creating a haven for Elizabeth to
begin again writing her beautiful, touching poetry. She
is fulfilled both romantically in her love for Lota, and
creatively in her new found productivity.
presence of Lota and Mary, shrinking from their
uninhibited behavior. Lota, in turn, sees Elizabeth as stiff
and cold. When Elizabeth confesses her deep insecurities
about her poetry to Lota, there develops a primal
connection between the two women. Elizabeth gradually
welcomes Lota's sexual advances, releasing her own long
repressed passion.
Lota has designed a sublime, romantic environment in
the Brazilian hinterland, creating a haven for Elizabeth to
begin again writing her beautiful, touching poetry. She
is fulfilled both romantically in her love for Lota, and
creatively in her new found productivity.
All is happiness, except for her old friend Mary, who
soon resents Elizabeth for replacing her in Lota's heart.
Mary and Lota adopt a baby to ease Mary's discontent.
Elizabeth’s published poetry collection eventually
earns her a Pulitzer Prize. She is also invited to teach at a
New York university and contribute on a regular basis to
the New Yorker magazine. The offers are increasingly hard
to resist as Lota becomes more and more demanding of her
presence, bordering on possession. Elizabeth returns to
the States purportedly to teach for one semester before
returning to Brazil and Lota, but her unraveling
relationship with Lota leaves her return in question.
soon resents Elizabeth for replacing her in Lota's heart.
Mary and Lota adopt a baby to ease Mary's discontent.
Elizabeth’s published poetry collection eventually
earns her a Pulitzer Prize. She is also invited to teach at a
New York university and contribute on a regular basis to
the New Yorker magazine. The offers are increasingly hard
to resist as Lota becomes more and more demanding of her
presence, bordering on possession. Elizabeth returns to
the States purportedly to teach for one semester before
returning to Brazil and Lota, but her unraveling
relationship with Lota leaves her return in question.
It would be heartless of us to go on with the plot,
which is rich in incident and full of surprises that you, the
viewer, must experience. The cinematography captures the
grandeur of Brazil. The characters are intimately
understandable. The actors are superb. Most surprising, we
had never heard of any of them, nor of the director.
which is rich in incident and full of surprises that you, the
viewer, must experience. The cinematography captures the
grandeur of Brazil. The characters are intimately
understandable. The actors are superb. Most surprising, we
had never heard of any of them, nor of the director.
This film deserves to be seen by all who love American
poetry, by all who appreciate the conflicts we experience
through life, and by all who realize that the world has its
share of evil.
