Family Life (1985)

Family Life Poster
Original Title: La Vie de famille

Every Saturday, to the great despair of his wife, Emmanuel finds his daughter Elise, fruit of a first union. A demanding and excessive father in his passions, he went to lay a loving trap for Elise.

Introduction
"Family Life" is a traditional Brazilian movie initially known as "Jogo duro" released in 1985. The film was directed by Ugo Giorgetti and showcases the intricate characteristics of a Brazilian middle-class household faced with various problems and contradictions of life. The film is an essential part of Brazilian cinematic product mainly due to its special ability to stimulate familial issues and social class-based considerations throughout the story.

Plot
The film narrates the life of Quirino, the patriarch of the household who is a scrap metal dealer and soccer enthusiast. In spite of the harshness of his occupation, he imagines seeing his senior son, Nene, as an expert footballer. Quirino's zealous participation in pushing his boy's profession course forms the crux of the story. His better half, Laura, is a middle-class lady who, regardless of her hubby's authoritarianism, looks for to infuse a bit of quality and improved taste in her life. On the other hand, his more youthful child Luizinho searches to a future various from his bro Nene, one comprising of a university education and intellectual aspirations.

Characters and Conflict
Nene, caught up between his father's expectations and his own dreams, faces the dilemma of discovering his identity. His battle represents the typical circumstance of individuals growing under the controling shadows of familial expectations. Laura, always trying to boost the standard of their lives through music and literature, deals with the constant opposition of Quirino, who suspects her efforts.

On the other side, Quirino continuously grows to run the household in conventional ways that include his unyielding belief in the importance of masculinity embodied in sports and physical strength. Luizinho, the more youthful son, expresses his desire to pursue education over sports, conflicting with the patriarch's ideology of life. This sparks even more stress in the family dynamics.

Interestingly, the character of Rosa, a housemaid working for the household, ends up being the audience's lens to the on-going tumult within the family. She is a quiet observer and a reluctant participant in the family issues. Her vulnerability mirrors the social bias and difficulty of the working class.

Ending and Conclusion
The movie, though based upon the atmospherics of a close-knit household, extends beyond that structure by showcasing societal norms, class prejudices, and generational gap issues prevalent throughout that era. As the movie advances, each character's dissatisfaction unfurls, lending an original and nuanced texture to the story.

In the end, Quirino's forced goal leads Nene into severe drug addiction, which ultimately serves as a stark commentary on the harmful potential of enforced dreams. Laura continues struggling to elevate her societal status, continuous in her pursuits in spite of continuous negation. Luizinho, on the other hand, embraces his intellectual goals under the suppressed resistance versus his daddy's will.

At the end of the film, Family Life makes a poignant comment on enforced familial norms, social expectations, and middle-class goals, discreetly hinting at the grim consequences such effects can have on private lives. Summarizing, the film positions itself as a heart-wrenching legend of a dysfunctional family having a hard time to come to terms with their desires and truths, depicting an intense image of the Brazilian middle-class experience versus a socio-economic background.

In conclusion, "Family Life" is a portrayal of familial ties, specific aspirations, social expectations and the conflicts therein. It beautifully brings out the essence of society and social relationships during the 1980s in Brazil.

Top Cast

  • Sami Frey (small)
    Sami Frey
    Emmanuel
  • Mara Goyet
    Elise
  • Juliet Berto (small)
    Juliet Berto
    Mara
  • Juliette Binoche (small)
    Juliette Binoche
    Natacha
  • Aïna Walle (small)
    Aïna Walle
    Lili
  • Catherine Gandois
    Femme au cognac
  • Simon de La Brosse (small)
    Simon de La Brosse
    Cédric
  • Henriette Palazzi
    La voisine