"Ele Não" ("Not Him") is one of the most surprising short films I've seen this year with its combination of genres, themes, quality acting some
curious observations about life and the unusual happy accidents of it. If life could have more of those awkward brief encounters that turn out to be good but
instead we have the movies to makes us dream and think about certain events. What starts as out as a nightmarish hangover for the lead girl (Larissa Korolkovas)
when she wakes up next to a perfect stranger (Bruno Anacleto) not remembering how did she got up in his apartment little by little turns into funny bits
when he talks about what really happened to her in the previous night, then
some drama with nice moments of fine intimacy and with plenty of possible surprises for both parts. A connection is formed but not in the cliched and highly expected romance; it's all
about total strangers who form a bond as the time goes by and knowing each one's peculiarities and realities.
I knew very little about the plot and what intrigued me enough to get a full attention was the film's title. I guess a majority of viewers will think
it has to do with the girl's thought about the man (not far from truth though, it's one intended way to see things); but deep down I knew it had something
to do with the famous hashtag used during the 2018's presidential election against the favorite candidate in the polls and the tag was a women's campaign
to prevent the misoginist victory - a pity that it failed and the man is the president. It's in the movie to create an important plot development between
both characters but it doesn't make much of a case or the movie itself; and I'm just giving a little context. Other than that I won't ruin your enjoyment
from viewing the film.
Director Fernando Haddad (not the former mayor/president runner-up) makes intelligent choices in "Ele Não" by not recreating the unusual events of the
night before. Instead he uses of gripping storytellings filled with memorable dialogues, and we in the audience use our imagination and we become the third person locked in this tiny
apartment intrigued by the leading man because he's a mystery to us just as he is for the woman - with the story evolution we become to love those
characters more and more. To me, it's important to feel the environment, the location so we can notice details, what the place says about the characters,
and to some extent to imagine about what's not presented in the story.
That couple felt real to me and I praise both actors. Larissa has a multitude of expressions and for a great part of the movie it all happens inside
her head with voice-over thoughts about the man, trying to recollect situations prior to her presence with him, and it's her face that conveys both
fear of the unknown and a certain ammount of humor. She has the potential to be a great star for horror movies as the lone survivor girl who gets scared
through the whole movie. Bruno Anacleto was a great looking charming prince with a little bit of mystery inside. How not to fall in love with him or at
least feel impressed with him? Sure, the girl finds herself in a strange position and feeling safe is her main concern, it's the fear of the unknown
speaking higher than finding him attractive or trust him. Then comes, his mannered quiet voice, polite acts here and there and...who knows, by that time
we're all conquered by his feet and a sinister plot twist could be used if the girl's intuition was right all along. Not sure if it's part of the script
or it was the actor's choice but Tito's many tattoos reveal a lot about his character - a device that directors should use more to present personalities.
Yes, the Hakuna Matata tats covering his chest is a positive element that gives him a reference and a sense of humor too.
It's a very great short, brilliantly photographer with subtle transitions and craft - the difference lighting schemes inside a small place were
used with great effect. Here's a story that has everything to become just another simple things but it manages to go over the simplicity, surprising
from one sequence to another. Deserving of a feature film with the return of everyone involved. 9/10
