
Good Manners

Clara, a lonely nurse from the outskirts of São Paulo, is hired by mysterious and wealthy Ana as the nanny for her unborn child. The two women develop a strong bond, but soon Clara discovers a terrifying secret about the child.
Clara, a lonely nurse from the outskirts of São Paulo, is hired by mysterious and wealthy Ana as the nanny for her unborn child. The two women develop a strong bond, but soon Clara discovers a terrifying secret about the child.
A horror film that brilliantly incorporates elements from various genres, creating a diverse and well-constructed plot. The result is a narrative full of layers of complexity, originality and involvement. The story develops in two distinct phases, the moments of which are skillfully connected, giving the plot a broader perspective. The great performances bring the striking characters to life, leading the entire development of the story well, which manages to be dark and beautiful, complemented by touching musicality, creating a unique, impressive and creative experience.
Just like a werewolf is two entities in the same person, _Good Manners_ is two films in one (and if that was done on purpose, then respect).
The first half of the film is the beast during the day and is easily the better film (at 2 hours and 15 minutes, I wasn't kidding: this film really is 2 films in 1). It's subtle, keeps us guessing and is marvelously performed. The second part/film is the animal half and, while the CGI is above par and there is more action, it never really escapes from the chains of cliche that hold it down. It's entertaining to be sure, but it leaves us hungry for the finesse we had at the beginning. (If you see this film, my advice would be to leave when Clara is with the 'package' at the side of the river.)
Overall, _Good Manners_ succeeds most when it eschews genre, but is definitely worth a watch.
A horror film that brilliantly incorporates elements from various genres, creating a diverse and well-constructed plot. The result is a narrative full of layers of complexity, originality and involvement. The story develops in two distinct phases, the moments of which are skillfully connected, giving the plot a broader perspective. The great performances bring the striking characters to life, leading the entire development of the story well, which manages to be dark and beautiful, complemented by touching musicality, creating a unique, impressive and creative experience.