Luís Felipe Rasmuss de Almeida "Four Days In September" is a brilliant and well-written movie. The year is 1969, and Brazilians are suffering with lack of democracy - that happens because of a dictatorship, which took place in 1964, when a militar junta overthrew João Goulart, the president of Brazil. In 1968, a Non-constitutional act was approved by the government, called Ato Incostitucional 5 (AI5), and by the day this was approved, the press started to be censored, and Brazilian people lost their freedom of speech. The movie starts showing three friends, and two of them decided to protest (and fight using weapons) against the dictatorship. When they've joined MR8 (Movimento Revolucionário 8 de outubro), a communist group against the government, Fernando Gabeira, currently a deputy in Brazil, had the idea to kidnap the American ambassador in Brazil, Charles Burke Elbrick, becoming one of the most famous points in the fight against the dictatorship. This is a must see movie if you really want to know more information about the Brazilian history. The acting is also good, also featuring Alan Arkin (brilliant performance), and Fisher Stevens (who acted as Chuck Fishman in "Early Edition", one of my favorite TV series of all times). Great and must see movie. A masterpiece from Brazilian cinema.

ThurstonHunger A friend of mine, who was a child in Brazil during the time that this film is set, recommended this to me. Thanks Alex, just like Onibus 174, I found this gripping.Whereas Onibus 174 is a straight documentary, this fictionalized reenactment is allowed to let us see and hear things that likely did not happen. The best of those: an inner monologue from the always admirable Alan Arkin as he composes a more banal note to his wife at the behest of his captors.As a result we get a film that is not too preachy, nor too confined by *what actually happened* the bane of many a "true story" come to screen. Of course here what actually happened had inherent high drama. But the key for me getting into this film was that all of those portrayed, are done so with at least a semblance of a conscience. Arkin's ambassador is just beautiful, that and his English helped me to identify with him immensely. His fate is definitely in the balance.But the captors/rebels, and even the police in pursuit of them all have this sense of contrition and concern about what they are doing. There are interesting dynamics among the rebels as well. On a couple of levels you feel a fuse burning slowly throughout the entire film.Hmmm, I'll have to ask my friend (or you can tell me) what the real title of the film means. (Is it something like "O What is this, companero" thus speaking to the doubting conscience of all involved??) Other oddball afterfacts, Stewart Copeland was somewhere in the soundtrack (didn't leap out when I watched it for better or worse). Also I see that the director was also responsible for "Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands" hmmm, not a good sign; even as a horny teenager I was leery of that "sex farce". I may be wrong, but I suspect this docudrama will age much better than that.6.5/10

Bruno_Malta For several years, Brazil has been producing a lot of good movies. But only with " O que é isso companheiro ?" Brazil has managed to obtain the quality required to attract the great public. It is a excelent movie, based in a true history, this movie delivers some good hours of excitement. The acting is above the average for a Braziliam production. Bruno Barreto is a great director and show us that along the movie. He has the skills necessary to carry on the movie in a good pace. This movie should be seen for everybody that wants to know a little about Brazilian history. Its a little piece from our history, our dark times when the army was in power and nobody had the freedom of speech or acts. Its a great movie, Brazilian cinema at its best!!! I gave a 9 out of 10.

AEIOU-2 If you dig substantive thrillers that have realistic, interesting characters this is for you. This is an under-seen flick full of emotion and tension. Alan Arkin is terrific as the hostage.The script is intricate, subtle and gripping. Fine direction by Barreto.