I watched "The Secret Agent" a few days ago and I need to write about it. NO SPOILERS [View all]

I have mixed feelings about the movie.

Not sure why it got a "Best Picture" nod.
It's a very creative, interesting movie, but "BEST"? That would be a stretch for me.

The movie centers around one central character, and he is amazing. The actor definitely earns all the accolades he's been given.

I should also mention: The movie is NOT RATED.
It would probably get an X if it were, because there is graphic sex and violence.
I definitely was hiding my eyes over some of the grotesque violence.
It comes in short bursts, though, so I didn't have to leave the theatre. (I saw it at an art house movie theatre).

It's definitely not a typical movie, the story meanders quite a bit. It's not so much a story, as a portrait of a place and time.
(Brazil, late 1970s, during their dictatorship).

Lots of fascinating people, who could anchor a movie in their own right, drift in and out.
(I especially wanted to learn more about a Holocaust survivor, pretending to be a German WW2 vet, enduring more than he ever should have to. That bit part was played by Udo Kier, who has since died, so it was the last role of a long and fascinating career.)
Udo Kier is a fascinating person in himself. I hope a biopic of him is made someday.

Anyway, I'm wandering around, just like this beautiful, horrifying, and sometimes frustrating movie.
It gave me a lot to think about, especially as we are careening toward a politically violent dictatorship ourselves.

Just be aware that there are no answers here.
But it will stick with you, if you can stomach it.