The Man of the Year

The 2000s were a good year for international genre cinema, point in case José Henrique Fonseca's The Man of the Year [O Homem do Ano], a Brazilian crime film made in the wake of City of God's global success. I'm not sure how the film fought itself onto the international stage, but I remember it having a local release, which is anything but common for a Brazilian production. I wasn't quite sure how the film would hold up after all this time, but there's only one way to find out, so I figured this was due a rewatch. And I was pleasantly surprised by the result.

The Man of the Year is in many ways an archetypical crime film. It's not my favored genre, and while I appreciate some of the more notable Asian and British representatives, I generally don't care much for the American takes on the genre. This film isn't too focused on the usual character tropes though (the lead character is a bit of a dope) and the presentation is a bit more contemporary than usually the case (somehow crime films tend to favor oldskool vibes), which is what set this film apart from the rest. That and the fact that it is thoroughly Brazilian.

The film shares some of the same premises as City of God, namely the lawlessness of the Brazilian cities and the popular "city as a jungle" metaphor. Where it differs is that it offers a more focused story and a more ironic take on the situation. The lead character isn't a typical criminal, rather he's a bit of a deadbeat whose irresponsible behavior propels him into a life of crime. Unwillingly at first, but as things keep going his way, he sticks to his lucrative profession. It's this thin layer of irony running underneath that ultimately kept the film fresh after all these years.

After losing a bet, Maiquel has promised to dye his hair blond. He doesn't shy away from his promise, but after doing so a local bully makes fun of him. Maiquel can't handle the humiliation, so he buys a gun and kills the guy in a fit of rage. He is ready to flee the city when he starts getting gifts and compliments from his neighbors. Even the local police give him a tap on his back for his service. Maiquel is stunned, but he isn't going to let a good thing go to waste, so he decides to stick around and see where this new life will lead him.

Rio de Janeiro plays an important part in the visual fabric of the film, but ultimately it's the cinematography that gives The Man of the Year the necessary grandeur. The use of color and lighting is lovely, the editing and the camera work are on point too. Rather than a classic and oldskool crime vibe, the film looks vibrant and modern, a transformation that seems to mimic Maiquel's blond hairdo. It may not make a big difference to some, but for me, it's what sets this film apart from so many other (and lesser) crime films out there.

The soundtrack isn't quite as distinctive, but it's clear that Fonseca did make an effort. The music feels present and explores some slightly alternative subgenres of the 00s, which also helps in steering the film away from the usual noirish crime clichés. The music itself isn't prime quality though, I think a better composer or a more pointed selection of existing tracks could've added even more flair, but the score is never bad or distracting. It's a little nitpicky and I'm aware it's a personal pet peeve, but I would have liked the music just a tad more refined.

The performances are more than solid though. Sure enough, Murillo Benicio's blond hair is virtually a character in its own right and it makes him memorable beyond his actual performance, but he does a great job as the somewhat dopey guy turned overnight hero. The rest of the cast is excellent too, with strong female leads and some interesting secondary parts, but this film puts Benicio front and center and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands to deliver a performance that would come to define his entire career.

The first half is best, as it is by far the most unpredictable portion of the film. The premise is quirky and relatively original and seeing it unfold is fun and entertaining. Once all the pawns are on the board it becomes easier to predict how things will pan out, even though there are some minor surprises stacked along the way. I had a bit more trouble keeping my attention with the film during the middle part, but that was only a small lapse as the film shifts gears again once it builds up to the finale. The setup is definitely the main draw here, so be sure to pay attention in the beginning.

The Man of the Year is a quality genre film with some added flair to help it stand out from the crowd. The setup of the plot is smart, the styling is a bit edgier, the performances are strong and the way everything unfolds propels you through the first half of the film. The second part feels a bit more by the numbers, but not to such an extent that it negates the positives of the first half. If you're looking for a fun and exotic crime film, this is an easy recommendation, if your heart lies with oldskool crime cinema this may be too much off the beaten path, but I doubt anyone is going to be bummed for giving it a try.