For the first of the Criterion releases of 2017 the focus is on the 1959 retelling of the ancient Greek myth Orpheus and Eurydice, with the drama transposed to the colour filled streets of Rio De Janeiro. The film is widely credited for popularising Bossa Nova music in the USA and is a heady mix of colourful sights and sounds which has been restored to its former glory with a high definition print and remastered soundtrack.
The Carnival is just starting in Rio. The city as awash with colour and pageantry. At every turn there are dancers and revellers. Working his way through the masses is Orfeo a tram driver and the leader of one of the carnival troupes. He is the life and soul of the party and seems destined for happiness as he starts to arrange his future by getting engaged to Mira. Into his life comes Eurydice, a girl with some problems. She is on the run from a mysterious man who she believes is intent on her demise. As soon as Orfeu sees her he falls in love. After some persuasion Eurydice starts to feel the same way. They just need to get through the carnival parade the next day and they will be able to be together. There are obstacles to overcome. Mira starts to be come suspicious of the new girl and the man Eurydice fear is never too far away.
There are so many things to like about this film. The setting is the most impressive of all. Using the vibrant city and the impressive vistas seen from the hills above the metropolis sets the scene perfectly. It is full of colour and light giving a very happy feeling to the opening of the film . This sets the mood for the introduction of the two lovers. It seems like the perfect environment for love to blossom.
Against this backdrop are the people. The lightness of the environment almost seems to rub of on the crowd as wherever you go there are people dancing and laughing. Of course there is a degree of extreme poverty but that is not the focus. It is on living life and enjoying the moment for what it is. The main characters embody this spirit. Orpheo is a singer of songs. He sings so sweetly that he is reputed to make the sun rise each morning with his talent. Eurydice represents a purity of spirit and innocence. Little is known of her before she arrived in Rio. There must be a reason she is being followed by the spectre of death but this is never touched on.
Central to the mood of the film is the soundtrack. From start to finish there is music accompanying the drama. When not central to the story there is still the insistent beat of drums just within earshot. it is no wonder that there is so much dancing going on. The soundtrack comes courtesy of the supreme talents of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Luiz Bonfa. Their compositions capture the mood of the film exactly.
The film successfully moves the story into a modern context. The use of the original names never feels out of place and the way that Orfeu is depicted as moving through to the underworld is cleverly handled. This takes up the last third of the film where we get a dramatic shift. The tone becomes much darker and there is genuine tension as the story reaches its inevitable conclusion.
Black Orpheus is out in a Criterion collection edition Blu-ray.
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