RResende When you have good writing, you don't need that much to have a good film. And this film has excellent writing. I'm talking about the dialog lines, they are perfect in how they evoke the despicable little bourgeois society of the imperial Rio de Janeiro, which actually mirrors the contemporary mentality of the Brazilian (and Portuguese!) people. Jô Soares is a good comedy writer, one who tackles grotesque society themes and contradictions, and remakes them into interesting cartoons.He is not a true screenwriter, and his great experience (and quality) is as a television writer, which basically means he writes episodes, without a large form. But here the episodes he wrote in the novel work because he cleverly used a few story elements that binds everything together, and those elements are themselves funny in a layered way, meaning that if you know something about Holmes, Jack the Ripper, and Caipirinha, you will smile at the thing.So absolutely everything is a joke. The "crimes" are a cartoon, the Stradivarius bit is social critic, the serial killer is funny, and Sherlock's endless and pointless deductions are as awkward and ridiculous as the very situations he investigates. If Holmes was already in its origin a cartoon of a certain ultra logic way to see the world, than this Holmes is the cartoon of a cartoon. Watson is what is supposed to be. The Ripper connection is intelligent, and his off voice narration completes the binding of every loose comedy episode. The killer literally writes the story, this is always a reliable device.An important note is how the filmmakers invest the film with a sense of placement. Porto, Portugal, working as Rio's historical center in the XIXth century. There are overall clever locations, and one in particular; the bookshop, it's a great space. It is a real bookshop, located in the center of Porto. It has a great serpent stair, which could actually have been better used, but the space is invested with a romantic eclectic feel. It has a mystery appeal to it. Actually it might have been used as a model for some Harry Potter's sets (Rawling lived in Porto). I appreciated the choices.My opinion: 4/5 watch this.http://www.7eyes.wordpress.com

freethesouls Very good. Was very funny and cute. Too bad it was never released into the USA. Excellent work of fiction. I think a movie on just the monarchy would be nice too that included Pedro II with his wife and his daughter Isabel and their grandchildren. I am sure that it would succeed in every way possible since their positive feedback on the monarchy during today's time. Good luck and fantastic film. I hope that a film like that will come about in a grand way. Excellent performance by all of the character's . A 10 out of 10. I highly Recommend anyone who wants too watch a very funny movie too watch this. I am sure that it will make anyone laugh and leave a lasting impression of the film. The way it was created will be on one mind for a long time too come as you watch with laughter at a great detective who is called into action. His mission is too retrieve a valuable violin and too return it un harm. Will he succeeded? Watch and find out.I do wish that the film will one day be released too the people of north America and elsewhere on DVD's and I hope too see this film in a blockbuster or any kind of film market.

Jessica Carvalho This is one of the best Brazilian movies ever made and also has one of the greatest productions! The movie is based in the book of Jô Soares(who also plays the Chief judge in the movie) a well know man here in Brazil by his culture,intelligence and his television program. There are many famous Brazilians actors and actresses,like Letícia Sabatella,Caco Ciocler,Marcello Antony and Cláudia Abreu.The year is 1886. The city is Rio de Janeiro. The Emperor Dom Pedro II does a confidence for his friend,the actress Sarah Bernhardt: the expensive violin Stradivarius,which he presented the baroness Maria Luiza disappeared.The actress suggests he hire her friend, the legendary British detective Sherlock Holmes, to solve the case. Sherlock comes to Brazil with his friend, Watson, and then, in the tropical city of Rio de Janeiro, he discovers many interesting cultural things about Brazil while trying to know who is the mysterious person who stole the violin.

Angelo Defanti I had my doubts if this movie would be good given the success of novel and the Jo Soares' book rhythm. But I was really surprised by the adaptation. Miguel Faria Jr. did a great direction and the cast was amazing. Joaquim de Almeida is great as the goofy Sherlock Homes and Marco Nannini was at his finest. The art direction is the best in a brazilian movie ever. But still something was missing. This story on the screen just lost its style. A great two-hour spent though, worth the ticket.If possible, I'd give it a 7 1/2.