"The Secret Agent," directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, is a stylish and slow-burning thriller set in 1977 Brazil, exploring themes of radicalism and mercenary actions against the backdrop of a military dictatorship. The film opens with a somber note, establishing the atmosphere of mischief that is about to unfold over the next two and a half hours. Audiences are introduced to a variety of peculiar characters, including hitmen, a two-headed cat, and the central figure, Marcelo, portrayed by Wagner Moura, who appears to be perpetually escaping from an unseen threat.
Set against the dense backdrop of Recife, a city grappling with the grotesque realities of life under dictatorship, the film highlights the surrealism of everyday existence. Carnival festivities carry on despite a rising body count, while the persecution of academics and journalists creates a chilling atmosphere of dread. The film opens on a stark note, depicting Marcelo stopping for gas and encountering a decaying body, barely covered in cardboard, illustrating the casual violence and the neglect of those in power. The police, rather than addressing the corpse, focus on Marcelo and his yellow Beetle, establishing a tone of tension that permeates the entire narrative.
Despite the film's title, which may suggest Marcelo is a slick operative, the narrative gradually unravels his reasons for being on the run. Such curiosity is amplified by the mystery of his family's separation, particularly his young son living with his in-laws, and the wealthy man who wants him dead. Marcelo’s journey is not that of a conventional spy; rather, he operates like a ghost, adopting a false identity and attempting to live quietly, waiting for the throat of persecution to loosen. Moura's nuanced performance was recognized as he won the Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival this year.
The film explores the complex web of clandestine operations in Recife, depicting individuals who serve dual roles—some guarding secrets, others selling information to the highest bidder. A modern-day archivist serves as a narrative frame, listening to telephone tapping recordings and documenting the history that mainstream media fails to convey accurately. One particularly bizarre and recurring motif is a disembodied hairy leg, an urban legend that serves as a metaphor for oppression. One sequence presents a woman reading a sensationalized story in the newspaper about the leg attacking gay men, portrayed with a blend of absurdity and gruesome humor.
Udo Kier, who recently passed away, is featured in a haunting role as a Holocaust survivor turned tailor, whose scars have become a point of curiosity for the local police. The film boasts a talented ensemble cast, including Tânia Maria as the godmother of leftist activists in hiding, Carlos Francisco as Marcelo's father-in-law, and Roney Villela and Gabriel Leone as the men pursuing him. Additionally, Mendonça Filho revisits his childhood by constructing a fictional representation of a vanished theater as a central location, bringing his personal history into the narrative.
The soundtrack complements the film's emotional resonance, with eclectic needle drops ranging from Donna Summer’s "Love to Love You Baby" to popular local songs from the era. "The Secret Agent" stands out as a deeply personal film, encapsulating themes of resurrection and elegy, reflecting the director’s love for the cinematic craft. The movie, distributed by Neon, is rated R for nudity, sexual content, strong language, and graphic violence, with a runtime of 158 minutes. It opens in limited release and has garnered strong reviews, earning three and a half stars out of four.
