BLUE TRAIL, THE

(director/writer: Gabriel Mascaro; screenwriter: Tiberio Azul, Murilo Hauser, Heitor Lorega; cinematographer: Guillermo Garza; editors: Omar Guzman, Sebastian Sepulveda; music: Memo Guerra; cast: Denise Weinberg (Tereza), Clarissa Pinheiro (Joana), Adanilo (Ludemir), Rodrigo Santoro (Cadu), Miriam Socarras (Roberta); Runtime: 86; MPAA Rating: NR; producers: Rachel Daisy Ellis, Sandino Saravia Vinay; Desvia; 2025-Brazil-Mexico-Chile-Netherlands-in Portuguese with English subtitles)

“About respect for senior citizens and their resolve to survive.”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

Brazilian director/writer Gabriel Mascaro (“Neon Bull”/”Divine Love”) co-writes with Tiberio Azul, Murilo Hauser and Heitor Lorega this humanistic Amazon ecological tale that depicts in the near future a so-called better world for seniors by a propaganda-minded hypocritical authoritarian regime that shouldn’t be trusted. It’s a solid message film about respect for senior citizens and their resolve to survive, despite challenged by an oppressive government force.

To max out economic recovery for seniors over 75 the government takes radical steps to make their life supposedly better by moving them from their current home to a government sponsored colony, even if they don’t want to live there. The age for that move used to be 80.

The 77-year-old Tereza (Denise Weinberg), who lives alone, is a contented factory worker, will now have to leave her beloved home and live in the government colony, even if she doesn’t want to. Her daughter Joana (Clarissa Pinheiro) now has custody over her ID and money, and mom can’t make a move without her approval.

Before forced to move, Tereza gets aboard the riverboat with the shady captain Cadu (Rodrigo Santoro) and sails on the Amazon for one last adventure. On the river she comes across the “blue drool snail”–whose slime can be used as eyedrops to see your future.

Tereza also meets the gambler (Adanilo), whose plane is grounded by debt, and the rebellious Roberta (Miriam Socarras), a free-spirited senior she hooks up with. Roberta uses her boat to sell Bibles.

The pic remains hopeful for seniors despite the real political situation being pessimistic.

The veteran actress of stage and screen, Denise Weinberg, gives a winning performance, making the pic likable.

It played at the Berlin Film Festival.

REVIEWED ON 3/28/2025  GRADE: B
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