Writer/Director: Kleber Mendonca Filho
Starring: Wagner Moura, Carlos Francisco and Tania Maria
‘A Powerful Period Piece’
Few countries pose challenges for families to fulfill like Brazil. A war-torn land, Brazil has built an image being a country where citizens can’t take a stand. On a personal level, I find lives of Brazilian immigrants relatable. Many years ago, I bonded with a Brazilian housemaid facing sorrow. Raised in nations facing warfare, she was never afraid to declare I’m still here in a country where citizens faced despair. Born in Brazil, she told stories about her family’s uphill battles in a country where dreams were hard to fulfill. Critical of her home nation, she told eye-opening tales about a country in which her family faced a separation. A bold housekeeper, she told stories about a country where family fought one battle after another. When she wasn’t busy doing household duties, she shared stories about a country offering pain and glory during the 1970’s. In an attempt to escape persecution of her home country, she embarked upon an immigration journey. Seeking to escape a city of god causing trauma, her objective was to immigrate to America. Her dreams came true when she immigrated to a country she would value. After she immigrated, my maid got married to a Brazilian man she appreciated. Unlike ordinary people, her husband seemed a nice person she considered special. Through calls she gave family every day, she seemed happy with life in the U.S.A. However, murder destroyed life forever. Stabbed to death by her lover, she faced murder. My family wondered why usual suspects weren’t interrogated in crimes that weren’t investigated by the FBI. Following her passing, Brazil became a country I had no intentions of visiting. Haunted by spirit of a woman that departed, Brazil became a country I never visited. Following her death that caused turmoil, the mere thought of Brazil would make my blood boil. Years later, I admire an inglorious country that’s a glorious reminder of a precious housekeeper.
As someone treasuring fond memories of a Brazilian immigrant, I admired “The Secret Agent”. Released in 2025, Kleber Mendonca Filho’s Oscar-nominated movie depicted 1970’s Brazil. Packed with breathtaking production-design, engaging storytelling and phenomenal acting, it’s a powerful period piece. At the centre of it is Wagner Moura, who embodies a Brazilian immigrant. Although “The Secret Agent” is riveting, it isn’t flawless. Its unevenly paced, building ambiguous conclusions. Nevertheless, it offers engaging entertainment for fans of Brazilian Cinema.
Set in 1970’s Brazil, “The Secret Agent” tells the story of a professor that has dreams to fulfill. Wagner Moura portrays Armando, a tormented Brazilian professor experiencing sorrow. Armando has shared passionate connections with home nation he regards with affection. However, Armando’s life forever changes when he’s hunted down by hitmen in dictatorships causing disaster. Forced to become a secret agent, Armando questions his love for a commemorated country that’s spearheaded by a corrupt government.
Kleber Mendonca Filho is fascinated with Brazilian citizens facing sorrow. A fantastic Brazilian filmmaker, Filho has manufactured engaging movies about a country in danger. With “The Secret Agent”, however, Filho created his first political thriller. It’s the filmmaker’s attempt capturing political turmoil experienced by Brazil during the 1970’s, but he succeeds tremendously. Evoking Walter Salles’ “I’m Still Here”, Filho effectively uses point-of-view shots to capture countries facing warfare. For instance, the POV shots elevate the homeland scene. During this unforgettable scene, Armando is thrilled returning home in Brazil to live with his grandparents. It brought back fond memories of a housemaid that told stories about Brazil during the 1970’s. Point of view shots are complicated techniques. As Martin Scorsese’s “Mean Streets” suggested, POV shots elevate crime films. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Filho captures the tensions commemorated immigrants are experiencing.
Another admirable aspect of “The Secret Agent” that merits appreciation is production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the most impressive Brazilian films you’ll ever see. Evoking Alfonso Cauron’s “Roma”, Filho effectively uses real-life locations across Brazil to capture war-torn nations facing trauma. For instance, the apartment location elevates the interview scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Armando expresses disillusionment with his nation after discovering hitmen are tracking him down in his apartment. It reminded me of my housemaid’s conflicted views towards a country that she both simultaneously loved and hated. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Tomaz Alves Souza’s commemorated music contributes to the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing the heavy burden Brazilian immigrants bear. Through stunning production, Filho captures the beauty of a nation.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “The Secret Agent” is a Brazilian movie that’s engaging. In Hollywood, most movies about Brazil rarely honor a country that’s misunderstood. For instance, Fernando Meirelles’ “City of God” depicted Brazil as a paradise city of god. Thankfully, however, “The Secret Agent” avoids these pitfalls. Evoking Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another”, Filho uses flashbacks to capture individuals haunted by murder. The film switches between two timelines: flashbacks of Armando’s past and present-day life in Brazil. For instance, flashbacks elevate the wife memory scene. During this emotional scene, Armando faces grief recalling memories of his deceased wife. It reminded me of my grief when I discovered a housemaid that I appreciated had been murdered leaving me devastated. Flashbacks are complicated. As Bryan Singer’s “The Usual Suspects” suggested, flashbacks elevate murder mysteries. Robert Redford’s “Ordinary People” suggested flashbacks elevate dysfunctional family dramas. Nevertheless, it works immensely. Through a spectacular screenplay, Filho honours a war-torn country today.
One appreciates astonishing performances.
Wagner Moura delivers one of his best career performances as Armando. Moura achieved appreciation playing criminals in Brazilian dramas. With “The Secret Agent”, however, he took on his most complex role. Evoking Antonio Banderas in Pedro Almodovar’s “Pain and Glory”, Moura embodies an immigrant struggling to survive in a country of pain and glory. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, bravery and grief of an immigrant in war-torn nations. It’s a phenomenal performance from one of the best Brazilian actors today.
While the movie is mainly a stunning showcase for Moura, the supporting cast is also excellent. Carlos Francisco is fantastic, capturing the sorrow of an aging senior in a country where dreams are difficult to follow. Robério Diógenes is spectacular, capturing the corrupt nature of a police officer facing crime in a country facing disaster. Lastly, Tania Maria merits appreciation. As Armando’s wise grandmother, she is unforgettable.
Despite its extraordinary performances, however, “The Secret Agent” can’t quite capture realities of a country that’s run by a corrupt government. Filho’s decisions to integrate subplots about corrupt police into the movie is commendable but hinders the pacing. Due to this faulty technique, scenes focusing on the lives of corrupt police officers aren’t always as engaging as Armando’s journey. As Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed” suggested, subplots about cops elevate commemorated crime movies. Moreover, the film lacks a satisfying ending. It’s an ambiguous conclusion that fails to bring the movie towards satisfying resolution. Whereas this ambiguous ending elevated Asghar Farhadi’s “A Separation”, it clashes with tone of this movie. Therefore, “The Secret Agent” can’t quite capture complexity of commemorated countries people adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Brazilian cinema will enjoy “The Secret Agent” and so will movie-goers seeking meaningful entertainment. A spectacular Brazilian drama, it proves that Cinema is a powerful art form honouring a country facing trauma.
A breathtaking portrait of uphill battles experienced by citizens in Brazil, it’s a brilliant reminder that stories about a commemorated country are worth telling in unforgettable movies giving audiences dreams to fulfill.
As strong as Armando’s desire to become a secret agent, it has motivated me to move on years after the tragic death of a servant murdered in a shocking incident whose commitment to teaching people about Brazil’s government inspired my lifelong appreciation for a country that deserves to be honoured in entertainment.
4/5 stars
The Film Buff 