Chega de Saudade

The Ballroom is a 2007 Brazilian-French romantic drama film directed by Laís Bodanzky. The action is set in a dance hall (gafieira) in São Paulo, frequented by elderly people. Cast Tonia Carrero as Alice Leonardo Villar as Álvaro Stepan Nercessian as Eudes Betty Faria as Elza Cassia Kiss as Marici Paulo Vilhena as Marquinhos Maria Flor as Bel Elza Soares as Ana Jorge Loredo Marly Marley as Liana Clarisse Abujamra Reception David Parkinson of The Guardian called it a "quirky ensemble piece", and praised it for being "superbly choreographed." Daily Expresss Allan Hunter labeled it as "bittersweet" and gave a rating 3 out of 5, saying "If Robert Altman had ever made a film about an old-fashioned dance hall it might have looked something like The Ballroom." Writing for the Evening Standard, Derek Malcom commended it by affirming: "If the film doesn't always convince, it has some wonderful moments. Bodanzky’s sympathy with his characters is obvious — and the music is as much an attraction as the series of stories we are told about them." On the other hand, David Jenkins from Time Out gave a more negative review, stating "this wannabe-steamy film never manages to generate any dramatic heat because it spreads itself far too thinly across its oversized and mundane cast." References