Based on a true story and with a fierce performance by its lead, I’m Still Here is about one woman’s struggle to keep her family together when her husband is disappeared during a time of Brazilian dictatorship in the 1970s.
There are some movies that stick out during awards seasons. You hear their names over and over, so you add them to your watchlist. This is one of those movies that I knew nothing about, but I’d heard that the female lead was amazing. I’m glad I watched it.
I’m Still Here is the story of Rubens Paiva, a politician, who lives with his wife, Eunice, and their five children in Brazil. With rumors and evidence of political violence, people are leaving the area and seeking refuge elsewhere. When Rubens is suddenly escorted out of the house by strange men, Eunice spends the following years trying to find out what happened to him and working to maintain the health and safety of her children.
This drama is based on the memoir by Marcelo Rubens Paiva (son of Rubens and Eunice), Ainda Estou Aqui (written in Portuguese, but may be available in English next year). It is primarily set in the 70s with all of the set pieces, clothing, and video footage that one could hope for during the decade.
A very intense film that alternately focuses on Eunice’s pain and search for her husband, as well as her own short captivity and attempts at helping her children feel loved, safe, and as normal as possible.
The single most powerful thing about this movie, and the one that I continue to come back to in my mind, is the performance by Fernanda Torres. There is a reason that people have been talking about her since this movie was released. She is absolutely phenomenal as Eunice. This is a woman that is screaming inside – you can see it in the bags under her eyes, her mildly shaking body, and her sturdy stances – but she remains silent. She watches and listens. She continues to move forward in a world that would otherwise eat her family alive, and she does it with poise and grace. She is the movie.
I kept hoping that I would become attached to I’m Still Here, but I didn’t connect with it emotionally. I felt horrible for what took place and the pain that this family endured is unimaginable, always wondering and waiting, but I was missing a piece. I believe that many people will make a connection with this film, though, and you may be one of them.
This is a visually engaging movie with all of the duller colors of older film reels (along with several films and photos taken during the movie itself) and a history lesson that we can all benefit from. But for me, it’s really Fernanda Torres that shines here. She is the reason to watch and you should.
Runtime: 137 minutes
Motion Picture Rating: PG-13
Languages Spoken In The Film: Portuguese with English subtitles
Should You Watch It? Yes
Did I Cry? Nope
My Rating: 4/5 Stars
Available: Free on Netflix, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms
There are some movies that stick out during awards seasons. You hear their names over and over, so you add them to your watchlist. This is one of those movies that I knew nothing about, but I’d heard that the female lead was amazing. I’m glad I watched it.
