IFFR 2008: ESTÔMAGO (A GASTRONOMIC STORY) Review

The Story:

Raimundo Nonato (João Miguel) is a country simpleton who arrives penniless in a big Brazilian city. Doing odd-jobs at a snack bar for food and lodging only, his future seems dire until he is allowed to assist with the food. Suddenly it turns out Raimundo is surprisingly talented, being able to work miracles with the simplest of ingredients. His cooking also wins him the affection of prostitute Íria, who is happy to share his bed on occasion in return for good food. When he quickly gets snatched up by the owner of a fancy restaurant it suddenly seems like the only way for Raimundo is up…

But alas, this is all a flashback, because the present is quite different:

Raimundo Nonato (João Miguel) is a simpleton who arrives in jail, banished to a cell he has to share with seven others. Beaten into the filthiest corner for being the new guy, his future seems dire until he lets slip of the fact that he can actually cook. His cellmates discover that Raimundo is surprisingly talented, being able to work miracles with the simplest of ingredients. His cooking also wins him a little respect from top-dog Bujiú, which increases his status. When Bujiú plans a feast to win the favor of feared imprisoned crime boss Etcetera it suddenly seems like the only way for Raimundo is up…

But how will his prison adventure end? And why did he have to go to prison in the first place?


The Movie:

Raimundo Nonato is a force of nature, one of those dangerous fools who thinks he’s smart the moment he gets lucky. Director Marcos Jorge intercuts the two storylines about this idiot deftly, keeping the audience guessing about what will happen and constantly surprising us with how someone can be so blind to the flaws in their own reasoning. That this character stays on the right side of believability is due to the brilliant way João Miguel plays him (at least I hope for him it’s a play-act).

Like in a good suspense novel, the switch between prison present and chef-cook past is always done at a point where you would rather stay with the current storyline.
But the film always continues at an interesting point where it previously left you, so you won’t mind having switched. This constant intercutting gives the movie a decent speed and kept me interested in the fates of Raimundo Nonato all the way to the double-ending, which resolves (and links!) both storylines in a very satisfying way.

I already praised João Miguel for his acting but everyone is good here, acting as a series of walls for Raymundo to bounce his stupidity against. Especially good in this regard is Fabiula Nascimento who plays Íria and may just be the sexiest plump person in the world. Who needs thinness when you can radiate attraction like that?

Cinematography and sound are fine as well. Things look and sound sultry and warm when in the city, and filthy and foul when in prison. You definitely want to go to the first for a long holiday, and you definitely never want to be in the second for even a minute!
But regardless of which storyline you’re in, the food looks mouthwatering whenever Raymundo gets to do his thing, whether he’s doing fast food or haute cuisine. Just like “Ratatouille” this made me leave the cinema REALLY hungry.

Before I’ve giving the impression that this is a nice comedy for all the family, it is not. There is a fair bit of pleasant nudity and shocking violence to be found here, with one gore effect which is truly remarkable because the camera unflinchingly zooms in on it, showing exactly what happened in detail for many seconds (and it’s bloody convincing too...).


Conclusion:

A nice tale about the relativity of happiness, “Estômago” gives you the grandfatherly advise that ‘getting there’ is often more fun than ‘being there’. But it does so in such a riveting and pleasant way that I was entertained from start to finish.
Highly recommended.

Related Links

• The "Estômago" page on the IFFR 2008 website.