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Poster for Heleno

Heleno

Passion. Decadence. Destruction.

2011 · 1h 56m · R Drama, History
Directed by José Henrique Fonseca

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Overview

José Henrique Fonseca crafts an ambitious and long overdue homage to a central icon in Brazil’s 20th century history. Reminiscent of film noir classics, the biopic tells the glorious and tragic story of the legendary football striker Heleno de Freitas. The sumptuous black and white cinematography reflects the chic life of Rio de Janeiro in the 1940s as it fell under the spell of sports royalty. Heleno was no doubt one of the most popular players of his time for his bravura in the field and magnificent goal-scoring that lead the Botafogo team to the top and himself into a vicious downward spiral.

Director and cast

Critics on Rotten Tomatoes

Top critics, in their words

All reviews
Fresh

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

Gary Goldstein, Los Angeles Times
Rotten

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

Farran Smith Nehme, New York Post
Fresh

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

Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Fresh

Jose 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.

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly
Rotten

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

Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

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