Four Days in September (1997)
Fernando, a journalist, and his friend César join terrorist group MR8 in order to fight Brazilian dictatorial regime during the late sixties. Cesare, however, is wounded and captured during a bank hold up. Fernando then decides to kidnap the American ambassador in Brazil and ask for the release of fifteen political prisoners in exchange for his life.
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Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
The best films of this genre always show a path and provide a takeaway for being a better person.
A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.
In 1964, the military deposes the democratically elected Brazilian government. By 1969, the military has imposed a police state. Friends Fernando Gabeira and César decide to fight back by joining revolutionaries. The group MR8 is led by Maria. César is captured during a bank robbery. Fernando comes up with the plan to kidnap the American Ambassador Charles Burke Elbrick (Alan Arkin). They seek to exchange him for 15 prisoners.I like the mix of characters in the revolutionary group. Each character is well defined and fully complete. It's not that much of a thriller despite a few action scenes. It has some psychological aspects. It's really the interactions within the group and with Alan Arkin that is the most interesting.
This is a truly passionate film about young men and women who fight for ideals that they believe in. A Brazillian rebel group has kidnapped the American ambassador for Brazil, and demands that fifteen jailed political prisoners be let free. This leads to some tense sequences with Fernando, the most intelligent and cowardly of the kidnappers, and the ambassador (played brilliantly by Alan Arkin). This could have become a routine thriller. It isn't due to it's intelligence and passion. A very worthwhile movie.** Even if you're turned off by the idea of subtitles, don't worry. There is a lot of English.
If you dig substantive thrillers that have realistic, interesting characters this is for you. This is an under-seen flick full of emotion and tension. Alan Arkin is terrific as the hostage.The script is intricate, subtle and gripping. Fine direction by Barreto.
Great cast. It's a notorious sample of Brazilian cinema . A true story about a revolutionary army against military dictatorship at the 60's in Brazil. Bruno Barreto was able to recreate Rio at that time and tells a true story about those terrible days.