Heleno Reviews

A shallow glimpse into the life of Heleno de Freitas that's anchored by breathtaking black-and-white cinematography and a bravura, raw performance by Rodrigo Santoro. It ultimately nourishes your heart more than your mind.

Full Review | Original Score: 7.04/10

Heleno might have been stronger by better avoiding the clichés of its genre-yet there are still benefits to this stylish work.

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There's just so much one can care about this star athlete and his self-destructive journey.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5

Equal parts temper and tenderness, lust and incaution, "Heleno" is short on specifics but long on impression.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/5

José Henrique Fonseca's handsome black-and-white, impressionistic bio-drama goes very Raging Bull-ish, to tell a piece of the story of Heleno de Freitas, a Brazilian soccer star with matinee-idol charisma.

Full Review | Original Score: B+

| Original Score: C

The script rarely digs beneath the surface of its intriguing subject.

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[C]uriously all but avoids the game -- except for a few opportunities for Heleno, a hothead with no self-control, to berate and abuse his teammates -- in favor of a lurid focus on his other public exploits.

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What you get instead of soccer is almost two hours of late-stage syphilis.

Full Review | Original Score: 1.5/4

You're stuck daydreaming about a far, far better movie.

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From its flash-forward framing sequence to its glossy black and white images, the film emulates Raging Bull in nearly every particular, while failing to capture even a sliver of that tortured-soul sports-movie's insight or visceral power.

Full Review | Original Score: 1/5

The film hints at a kicky, impressionistic style that director José Henrique Fonseca never effectively employs to actually communicate Heleno de Freitas's demons.

Full Review | Original Score: 2/4