Wonderful film. There really is much to love about this film, but the it's strength begins with the realistic, multidimensional performances by Regina Case, Lima Duarte and Stenio Garcia. For every spoken word, their body language and expressions convey countless unspokes desires, emotions, and conflicts. The script is well grounded with very little in the way of broad farcical humor or weepy melodrama. By pushing realism in the dialogue, direction and performances, the characters are rendered with more complexity. More humanity. They aren't reduced to being the romanticized 'noble poor' ciphers present in many films about poor people. Here, there are no saints or devils, only achingly real people doing their best to strike an agreeable accord with life. Even the cinematography serves this goal. This film is packed with beautiful imagery, but at the same time, it never devolves into being a travelogue. Instead the arrid terrain, populated with knarled cashew trees and swept with dust provides an understanding of how the characters find themselves amidst such an arrangement. Some have said this film is a disservice to women, because Darlene has to use sex to gain what she wants and needs. This I think is a pathetic attempt to further an agenda without even really considering the merit of the film itself. Darlene is a woman without many options. In order to fashion a semblance of a happy life, she uses guile, intelligence, charm and strategy to manipulate her fate. Sex just happens to be a tool at her disposal, and in Ciro, she finds a lover who even provides for her sexual needs. She sounds like a strong, self-realized woman to me. Were her character born middle class, I have no doubt she'd go far. Understanding this bit of social commentary only adds to my respect for this film because like other elements present, it's never heavy handed. Overall, I give 'Me You Them' 9 of 10. Of the films I saw in 2001, it ranks only after 'the Circle' as my favorite. Touching, funny, sublimely well balanced and intelligent, I'm hoping Andrucha Waddington makes more films of this caliber..............
17 Reviews
Rent it to see Brasil
arikde4 January 2004
"Eu Tu Eles" tells the story of Regina Case. A headstrong peasant woman in dusty rural Brasil who needs the support of 3 men to fulfill the traditional role of a husband. Each of the men help her attain different areas of fulfillment - a economic provider, a soulmate, and a lustful sexual partner.
Its a simple story and you do feel that the movie drags on much more than necessary as it shows how people are mutually dependant. The soundtrack of the movie is excellent, and I think what makes it work is the background - the pallete of the story set in rural Brasil. Directory Andrucha Waddington and cinematographer Brendo Silveira used prominent reds, browns, and ochres, fading into deep shadows to give a dusky, lusty beauty to the landscape. Its a very raw beauty - the clouds, the trees are prominent, and stagnant which go on to enhance the location of the story and the lives of its main protagonists.
Its a simple story and you do feel that the movie drags on much more than necessary as it shows how people are mutually dependant. The soundtrack of the movie is excellent, and I think what makes it work is the background - the pallete of the story set in rural Brasil. Directory Andrucha Waddington and cinematographer Brendo Silveira used prominent reds, browns, and ochres, fading into deep shadows to give a dusky, lusty beauty to the landscape. Its a very raw beauty - the clouds, the trees are prominent, and stagnant which go on to enhance the location of the story and the lives of its main protagonists.
I watched all the way through - no channel switching
Igor_106625 April 2004
This film provides a new meditation on female attractiveness, beauty, and sexuality. It provides new situations, and new reactions to situations. It provides new meditations on happiness, and on the roads to happiness. There are even little, possibly unintended, meditations on the slavery inherent in the cash economy. I'll watch this film at least a few more times, and get something new out of it every time.
One of the delights of watching foreign films is that distance, like time, provides a filtering effect. Only the very best of the foreign cinema makes its way to our shores. Therefore, it is not surprising that the cinematography, the score, the acting are all first class. But even by that elevated standard this film is special.
One of the delights of watching foreign films is that distance, like time, provides a filtering effect. Only the very best of the foreign cinema makes its way to our shores. Therefore, it is not surprising that the cinematography, the score, the acting are all first class. But even by that elevated standard this film is special.
Not made in Hollywood and all the better for it
Geofbob13 August 2001
This is a beautifully directed and photographed tale of a Brazilian countrywoman who, in a reversal of the traditional sexual roles, maintains relationships, and has babies, with several men. In Hollywood this plotline might have resulted in a sleazy drama or zany farce, but director Andrucha Waddington has wisely chosen to follow a realist path, and create a warm, human comedy, about believable characters, set in simple interiors and the arid landscape of interior Bahia.
Another difference from a hypothetical Hollywood version is that the characters largely lack conventional glamour. Regina Casé, who plays the heroine, Darlene, is distinctly homely; her legal husband who ignores her while she gets on with managing his smallholding and cutting sugar cane, and his more affectionate cousin whom she takes as a lover, are both older men. Only Ciro (Luis Carlos Vasconcelos), the young man she later turns to, has obvious physical attraction.
On occasion the realism turns a little magical, under the influence of the surrealistic wide, open vistas and long, empty roads, but Waddington plays down any metaphysical elements. Nor is the movie a social tract, though Regina - knowingly or unknowingly - is asserting her right to live her own life and seek happiness where she can, just like consciously feminist women in the wider world. In the tradition of humanist films, there is an open ending, which may or may not be happy - again, unlike Hollywood.
Another difference from a hypothetical Hollywood version is that the characters largely lack conventional glamour. Regina Casé, who plays the heroine, Darlene, is distinctly homely; her legal husband who ignores her while she gets on with managing his smallholding and cutting sugar cane, and his more affectionate cousin whom she takes as a lover, are both older men. Only Ciro (Luis Carlos Vasconcelos), the young man she later turns to, has obvious physical attraction.
On occasion the realism turns a little magical, under the influence of the surrealistic wide, open vistas and long, empty roads, but Waddington plays down any metaphysical elements. Nor is the movie a social tract, though Regina - knowingly or unknowingly - is asserting her right to live her own life and seek happiness where she can, just like consciously feminist women in the wider world. In the tradition of humanist films, there is an open ending, which may or may not be happy - again, unlike Hollywood.
Thoughtful, beautiful movie but slow start
georg-605 May 2008
Single mother Darlene from rural Brazil marries Osias, a local pensioner. He neglects her emotionally and treats her like a servant. So she looks for other men for emotional and practical support ... Like many other films from developing countries, it is less polished and stylised than your typical Hollywood movie and is relatively slow moving. In fact, the only negative thing I have to say is that in the first half it really is too slow moving. The plot only takes off in the second half and it is only now that the characters start to develop greater depth and complexity and you wish, afterwards, that more time had been spent on this part of the film. Apart from that, it is beautifully shot and contains in Darlene's charismatic character a person that retains an enormous amount of genuine happiness even in the most adverse circumstances. It is also, despite the extreme poverty it depicts, warm, funny and has three brilliant actors in the main roles, with Lima Duarte (Osias) standing out in particular.
Enthralling and heart-warming, rent it ASAP!
austinink17 September 2001
While some have commented that Regina Case, the female lead, is ugly, that is not remotely so because of an inner (and very natural) radiance, happiness and joy that Regina projects in a fine performance that warms the heart and lifts the spirits. It, along with spectacular photography, other simple but very "real" performances, and a joyous soundtrack easily lifts the movie to a "10" rating. That such a liberated and brilliant movie should come out of Roman Catholic Brazil is surprising -- a woman who manages to satisfy three husbands with only a little "condemnation" registered by others. The movie also gives us a glimpse into how life somehow happily goes on in an unimaginably harsh environment. It makes for an engrossing and rewarding, yet very understated movie. No Hollywood bells and whistles here, thank goodness. It is real.
A masterpiece
vincentw30 August 2000
On the face of it, the simple plot of the film would not seem enough to sustain the audience's interest. Darlene, an imposing young woman with an illegitimate child, returns to her home in the outback of the Bahia region of Brazil. There she marries an older man, has his child, then takes up with two other men and has children with them as well, all of them living together on the edge of poverty. The powerful acting, a hauntingly beautiful visual style, a landscape both harsh and lovely all make this a cinematic treasure in which one's attention never flags for a moment. It is a film which continues to resonate weeks after seeing it. I look forward to seeing it again and again.
Walt Disney it Ain't!
reidjam719 August 2003
We don't know if Darlene loves all three gentleman, certainly they are wary of one another, yet they live together. Viewers might surmise that the feelings of rivalry between the gentleman and the feelings of all of them toward Darlene might make for an unbearable home life.
In the eerily beautiful rural Brazilian landscape (emphasized by the frequent use of polarization and the use of Kodachrome stock), anything might happen, and the alternatives for any one of them. save perhaps Ciro, may not be alluring enough to encourage them to change their circumstances. They seem to bear the intolerable because it is familiar-the unknown frightens them into complacency toward a fate which is more challenging than their characters can utilize. Thus it crushes them, rather than strengthening them. The web in which they are caught is made of the sanguine filaments which bind us all. Perhaps the sadness I felt after watching this movie has to do with it's portrayal of the inevitable fading of our youth's bright colors in the unforgiving light of time. The three children will enter the world fated to relive their parents lives to one or another degree. Well filmed and portrayed, the story is tragic in it's essence. Walt Disney it ain't
In the eerily beautiful rural Brazilian landscape (emphasized by the frequent use of polarization and the use of Kodachrome stock), anything might happen, and the alternatives for any one of them. save perhaps Ciro, may not be alluring enough to encourage them to change their circumstances. They seem to bear the intolerable because it is familiar-the unknown frightens them into complacency toward a fate which is more challenging than their characters can utilize. Thus it crushes them, rather than strengthening them. The web in which they are caught is made of the sanguine filaments which bind us all. Perhaps the sadness I felt after watching this movie has to do with it's portrayal of the inevitable fading of our youth's bright colors in the unforgiving light of time. The three children will enter the world fated to relive their parents lives to one or another degree. Well filmed and portrayed, the story is tragic in it's essence. Walt Disney it ain't
Lust In The Dust!
rps-229 December 2003
A superb film from Brazil. There are movies about love triangles. This is more of a hexagon. Some of the professional critics seem to read more into the story than there is. Basicly, Darlene is an aging manipulative bitch with a great body. She has an earthiness about her that arouses the man in any man. The acting of the principals is brilliant. You don't have to understand Portugese (or read the subtitles)to understand the deep and conflicting emotions. Some regard the film as a comedy. Not at all (although it has its moments of humour.) It's a tremendously well done film about a lady who likes a roll in the hay (or, in this case, sugar bush.) My only complaint is the rather slushy ending. The icing on this spicy cake is the magnificent cinematography...great sweeping vistas and big skies...intriguing camera angles...imaginative framing...carefully painted light. If you like foreign films, this is a must!
strange relationships in small village...
afterdarkpak21 July 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Damn .. no idea what to say .. not average movie.. means.. not even good looking characters.. as it really truly represent village life style.
a woman with son and no father came back to her village ..she got nothing . so she marry old man who has house. but old man has no passion , so she goes for her cousin who also seeems old. then they all live together. until one day she meet the another man with same age. there she feels passion but also want other 2 old guys.. and 2 old guys dont want to leave her because they afraid to be alone. so they all 3 happily living together..
one lucky woman.
a woman with son and no father came back to her village ..she got nothing . so she marry old man who has house. but old man has no passion , so she goes for her cousin who also seeems old. then they all live together. until one day she meet the another man with same age. there she feels passion but also want other 2 old guys.. and 2 old guys dont want to leave her because they afraid to be alone. so they all 3 happily living together..
one lucky woman.
slow but moving in places
taylor988512 November 2001
This film portrays the life of the Brazilian poor in the arid interior, and that life is hard. You take your pleasures where and when you can. Regina Case gives a vivid performance as the polyamorous wife-lover; she is no more "ugly" than Frances McDormand, Maggie Smith or a host of other actresses who don't do Vogue covers. Gilberto Gil's music is very evocative, it's like an actor in the story.
Finally, I want to praise Lima Duarte's performance as the husband; he knows life is passing him by and death is approaching, so he doesn't let Darlene's sexual habits bother him. It is a very expressive star turn in the Philippe Noiret tradition.
Finally, I want to praise Lima Duarte's performance as the husband; he knows life is passing him by and death is approaching, so he doesn't let Darlene's sexual habits bother him. It is a very expressive star turn in the Philippe Noiret tradition.
Funny, typical, joyful.
matlabaraque15 November 2006
"Eu, Tu, Eles" is this kind of "freaky movie" which put on stage weird characters, with weird habits in a weird place. The story takes place in the Brazilian country side, in the middle of nowhere except plantations field. A beautiful girl raises her children in an mournful atmosphere. One day a young guy comes to work in the plantations and her little family is going to grow suddenly. Who is she with? The old one, the young one? The scenes are so absurd sometimes it makes you laugh, and it's deeply joyful to be confronted to absurdity sometimes. Anyway, it shows nice landscapes of Brazil with a lot of humor despite misery and difficult conditions. Besides the film didn't have a lot of money to be made. It worths its rate and its success in Brazil and elsewhere.
A must see
adequeiroz24 May 2020
Forget the Washington Post Critics. Probably done by someone who lacks many kinds of empathy to truly understands the complexity inside and around the life of a women in most poor areas in Brazil. Regina Case is outstanding in this role. Any women who has faced any difficult situation and suffered due to a patriarchal and unequal society will understand the pace of the film and the subtle behavior of this woman in finding ways to reduce the burden of being a woman and a mother.
When subtitles are more interesting than the movie
Chris_Docker29 August 2000
Although this film has had a lot of praise, I personally found it boring. There are some nice Brasilian sunsets and the characters are believable, but the story of how they interrelate, even if very unusual by our standards, is not interesting enough to sustain a movie this long. The central woman takes up with one man after another in a close knit way and putting the interests of her children first. As the tolerance of the various men is stretched, we see their characters develop. The story unfolds with dignity and aided by excellent acting. It is a rare glimpse into the Brasilian hinterland, far from the city, but hardly exciting enough to keep one's eyes open for.
The happiness of a courageous people
Lernanto22 June 2000
This wonderful film shows among other things, the way of living of the people from the hinterland of Brazil. Although the very difficult conditions of subsistence, they find reasons to live in their families, and the family shown in the movie is quite different...
Love comes in many shapes
m6716524 February 2001
First of all, let me say I'm not into movies that depict the suffering of poor people, but this is NOT one of them. It does show the hard life of people living on the edge of Brazil's Northeastern desert, but it is not your regular social protest stuff, and I think it might help these people even better BECAUSE of it.
I'm not against using cinema to protest against social structures, but sometimes the movies can make you see the poor as sub-human. This is not the case here: they have a pretty hard life, indeed, but the director shows us also the beauty of even the arid hinterland where they live. And not only they feel love, like any of us spectators: in this case, they happen to be able to work out a relationship that is unusual for us "urban people" to see, in such a relatively peaceful way.It is a true story, and they can actually teach us that love is everywhere, and in many shapes for us to choose.
I'm not against using cinema to protest against social structures, but sometimes the movies can make you see the poor as sub-human. This is not the case here: they have a pretty hard life, indeed, but the director shows us also the beauty of even the arid hinterland where they live. And not only they feel love, like any of us spectators: in this case, they happen to be able to work out a relationship that is unusual for us "urban people" to see, in such a relatively peaceful way.It is a true story, and they can actually teach us that love is everywhere, and in many shapes for us to choose.
Nice view, shame about you, me and them.
sibisi7321 August 2001
Beautiful sunsets and sun-drenched Brazilian vistas are very nice to look at, but they aren't enough to sustain a fairly inconsequential story, with underdeveloped characters.
Regina Case's Darlene is a woman who mother's four children with various men, taking one as husband, and then having the other two move into his home, all with his blessing, as he has something to gain from both. There is an opportunity here for some direct social commentary, but I'm glad that it wasn't taken up. At least these characters were allowed to behave realistically, without pandering to any kind of political correctness. However, they simply don't engage us in their lives. Darlene's motives, if any, were completely lost on me, save for enjoying a different guy in each hammock. By the time we get to the open ending, I'd lost most of my interest in anything they did.
Regina Case's Darlene is a woman who mother's four children with various men, taking one as husband, and then having the other two move into his home, all with his blessing, as he has something to gain from both. There is an opportunity here for some direct social commentary, but I'm glad that it wasn't taken up. At least these characters were allowed to behave realistically, without pandering to any kind of political correctness. However, they simply don't engage us in their lives. Darlene's motives, if any, were completely lost on me, save for enjoying a different guy in each hammock. By the time we get to the open ending, I'd lost most of my interest in anything they did.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
