Fernanda Torres is an Oscar front-runner for Best Actress, after winning the Golden Globe for her sensational performance in the epic drama I’m Still Here – the buzz is well-earned. Despite the movie being too long while also rushing through the last period in this devastating story, I’m Still Here is a very strong movie about the emotional endurance of love.

Torres plays Eunice Paiva, the mother of a large family who are trying to live under strict dictatorship in Brazil. Eunice anchors her family along with her husband (and former congressman) Rubens (Selton Mello), but is pushed into a position of sole provider when Rubens is ordered away for questioning. When Eunice isn’t given a straight answer as to when Rubens will be returning, she immediately feels life changing around her.

Walter Salles (Dark Water, On the Road) is respectful towards this generational-spanning true story, but also allows his characters and Brazilian scenery to breathe. This direction enables the primary actors to develop believable relationships, and create genuine feelings towards the ominous activity that’s closing in on their unit. Salles’ unwavering commitment to make Eunice the pin that holds so much of this story together is a risky choice, and an ambitious challenge for Torres (who receives additional help from Fernanda Montenegro, playing an older version of the matriarch) that pays off as a terrific accomplishment for this memorable political drama.

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Addison Wylie: @AddisonWylie