The Quartet

Fábio Barreto's 1995 Brazilian film is set in Rio Grande do Sul in the 1910s. Two young couples who emigrated from Italy begin sharing a roof to cut costs: Teresa and Angelo, Pierina and Massimo. What emerges over time is that the marriages are mismatched: Teresa and Massimo turn towards each other and one day leave everything behind. The film then focuses on those left, describing how two abandoned people cope with the land, the pressure of the church and the judgement of the community. Pierina learning to run the farm is the real line of development. The title comes from a card game in which partners must betray each other to win. It was nominated for an Academy Award. Who it's for: viewers who like period drama and immigrant stories. Who it's not for: anyone expecting brisk storytelling; the film moves at the pace of the seasons.