Is O Grande Gozador Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (1972)

📖 The Core Premise

O Grande Gozador returns to the screen in 1972, bringing a fresh narrative to the Comedy genre. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. ""Lula, 'bon vivant' who subsists at the expense of small blows, goes on with his life without a present or future purpose. Basically, he just tries to forget having been abandoned by his fiancee Helena, who gave in to his father's imposition. The situations in which he gets involved from then on are paradoxical, trying to survive in the best possible way and spending money he doesn't have, but which comes to him in one way or another. On a day of complete despair, Lula meets a group of "hippies" and leaves catechized. Willing to anything, he becomes a preacher of new customs and new ethics of life. In turn, Helena, whose marriage had failed, dreams of meeting Lula again, hoping to return to his arms."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. In O Grande Gozador, even the presence of Cláudio Cavalcanti struggles to save a script that feels disjointed. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Comedy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is O Grande Gozador worth your time? If you appreciate Comedy films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, O Grande Gozador misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 105 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.