Invisible Life (2019)


Director: Karim Aïnouz
Stars: Julia Stockler, Carol Duarte, Flávia Gusmão
Runtime: 139 minutes

Synopsis: Kept apart by a terrible lie and a conservative society, two sisters born in Rio de Janeiro make their way through life each believing the other is living out her dreams half a world away.

Performances: 9/10
Screenplay: 8/10
Editing: 7/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 8/10

Verdict: Guida and Euridice are two sisters who have always been there for one another. That is until an impulsive decision by the former suddenly sends her to Greece, leaving her family in a state of shock in her hometown of Rio de Janeiro.
But it's what comes after that event that makes the movie such a riveting and depressing one about broken dreams and the effect toxic masculinity has on women's lives. The chemistry between the two sisters was palpable, and that is despite them barely sharing any scenes together. You can tell that they deeply care about one another and that their separation truly took a toll on their livelihoods. The two performances by Julia Stockler and Carol Duarte were phenomenal, and cover every emotion the two sisters felt during their separate journeys, ranging from anger to vulnerability. Karim Aïnouz's film also does a spectacular job of realistically depicting the patriarchal era of 1950's Brazil. It was an immersive watch from beginning to end, which is crucial when telling a story in which the surroundings of the leads play such a big role in their narratives.
"Invisible Life" is a touching story that never feels emotionally manipulative, a route many artists would've opted to take when tackling similar themes. It's a heartbreaking tale of a sisterhood shattered by lies and conservatism that I cannot recommend enough.  

FINAL GRADE: 8/10

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