Val is the live-in maid for an affluent family in São Paulo. Dona Bárbara is the boss. Her husband José Carlos is a failed artist but the family's money is an inheritance from his father. Their only child Fabinho has been raised almost entirely by Val. She is essentially her mother. She is "almost family". Her biological daughter Jessica is almost 18 and raised by her relatives. She arrives to stay with the family while she takes the University entrance exam. She is outspoken and starts causing friction in the home.
There are some insightful and comical characterizations. There are a couple of minor problems. Carlos asking Jessica to marry him is awkward. It's not funny although there is a point to it. I just think it could be done better. The other point is Val standing in the pool. It would have been a great moment to end the movie. The last section drags on and on. There is a story element that gives the movie poetic symmetry but in the whole, it's better to end it on a high. This is an interesting movie with interesting characters.
There are some insightful and comical characterizations. There are a couple of minor problems. Carlos asking Jessica to marry him is awkward. It's not funny although there is a point to it. I just think it could be done better. The other point is Val standing in the pool. It would have been a great moment to end the movie. The last section drags on and on. There is a story element that gives the movie poetic symmetry but in the whole, it's better to end it on a high. This is an interesting movie with interesting characters.